Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group donates USD 1.5 million
to aid victims of tsunami

-  India, Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Indonesia to receive assistance
-  Kia Motors sends out sincerest condolences to affected countries and families

(SEOUL) December 31, 2004 -- Kia Motors Corporation announced today that a donation of USD 1.5 million will be given to the countries affected by the tsunami that hit the Asia Pacific region on December 26.

Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group will donate relief funds in the amount of USD 534,000 to India and USD 150,000 each to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.

In addition, the Group will also provide USD 370,000 worth of free vehicle repairs and free parts supply to the affected nations. Also, 5,000 local Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group employees and dealers have joined in the relief effort.

The relief funds will be delivered to the governments or disaster control centers in the region and relief goods will be delivered directly to Red Cross or other rescue organizations.

In the past, Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group was also an active participant in providing emergency assistance such as ambulances and relief goods to victims of the Iran and Algeria earthquakes in 2003.

Senior Executive Vice President and COO of Kia Motors Mr. Yong-Hwan Kim said, "It is always through tragedy that we find the human spirit of giving and I commend all the governments and volunteers that have come forward to help with the relief efforts. I hope that our donation will assist in their efforts."

He added, "Our hearts and our prayers go out to the families of the victims."   

Founded in 1944 and now celebrating its 60th anniversary, Kia Motors Corporation (www.kiamotors.com) is Korea's oldest manufacturer of automobiles.  As part of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Kia is among the world's fastest growing automobile companies and aims to be a premier global automaker. Kia's 15 manufacturing and assembly operations in 12 countries make more than a million vehicles a year that are sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 190 countries. Kia today has 30,000 employees and annual revenues of $12 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Tennis Open and an official worldwide sponsor of the Davis Cup.