ALL-NEW KIA RIO SEDAN IS ON ITS WAY…

• First official images of all-new B-Segment model revealed today
• World premier of four-door Rio scheduled for 9 January in Detroit, USA
• Five-door hatchback model to debut in Europe at Geneva Show on 1 March
• World premier of four-door Rio scheduled for 9 January in Detroit, USA
• Five-door hatchback model to debut in Europe at Geneva Show on 1 March
• World premier of four-door Rio scheduled for 9 January in Detroit, USA
• Five-door hatchback model to debut in Europe at Geneva Show on 1 March

Kia Motors Europe Headquarters, Eschborn, Germany - 5 January 2005

Kia Motors released the first images of its all-new Rio sedan today, before its world premier at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, USA on 9 January.

The all-new Rio will be manufactured as both a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback. With a special appeal for European customers, the five-door model will make its world debut in Switzerland at the Geneva Motor Show on 1 March. Both versions of the 4.2 metre long B-Segment model feature a longer wheelbase (2500 mm) and wider track (1470 mm) for a smoother ride and more responsive handling, while the overall height (1470 mm) ensures that the interior offers spacious accommodation.

"We redesigned the new Rio to meet the rising expectations of our customers who expect more from Kia each year," commented Yong-Hwan Kim, Senior Executive Vice President and COO of Kia Motors. "With improved quality and a fresher design, we have created a superb vehicle, an all-new Rio that is even more stylish and enjoyable to drive than its very popular predecessor."

Kia Motors expects worldwide export sales of the new Rio to exceed 93,500 units during 2005.
In Europe, where more than 27,000 customers purchased a Rio in 2004, the new Rio will be available from the Spring, with a choice of four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles, and both gasoline and diesel engines.

Editors Notes

Kia Motors Europe
Kia Motors Europe is the European sales, marketing, and service arm of Kia Motors Corporation. With its headquarters in Eschborn, Germany, it covers 20 markets in Europe. The European sales target is 300,000 units per year by 2005, thanks to new products and new diesel engines.

About Kia Motors Corporation
Kia Motors Corporation (www.kiamotors.com), which celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2004, is among the world´s fastest growing automobile companies. As part of the Hyundai-Kia

Automotive Group, Kia aims to be a ´Top 5´ global automaker by 2010. Kia´s 15 manufacturing and assembly operations in 12 countries make more than one million vehicles each year. These vehicles are sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 190 countries.

Founded in 1944, Kia Motors Corporation is Korea´s oldest manufacturer of automobiles. Kia today has 30,000 employees and annual revenues of US$ 12 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Tennis Open and the international sponsor of the Davis Cup.

Press Contact:

Kia Motors Europe GmbH
Hauptstrasse 185, 65760 Eschborn, Germany.
Tel.: +49 (6196) 509 2132 / Fax.: +49 (6196) 509 2100