KIA PICANTO 1.1 LX RATED ´MOST ECONOMICAL CAR´

• ADAC survey confirms Kia Picanto 1.1 LX is ´most economical car´
• Lowest total annual ownership costs, just 30.2 Euro Cents per kilometre

Kia Motors Europe Headquarters, Eschborn, Germany - 19 July 2005

A regular survey* of motoring costs by the highly respected ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil Club) has recently revealed that the Kia Picanto is Germany´s "most economical car" with four seats in the A-segment. Using the ADAC´s database of 5,500 new cars, the data of the survey confirms the conclusion that the total annual ownership costs for a Kia Picanto 1.1 LX five-door hatchback was 4,537 Euros or just 30.2 cents per kilometre - making it the economic champion of Germany in its class.

For the survey, published in April 2005, the total annual ownership costs were calculated over a four year period, covering 15,000 kilometres each year, and include purchase price, depreciation, residual value, scheduled servicing and maintenance, fuel, tyres, brakes, insurance, taxes and VAT.

"The ADAC´s confirmation that the Picanto really is an incredibly economical small car to own, is great news for Kia," commented Jean-Charles Lievens, Senior Vice President Kia Europe. "Picanto was created with European consumers in mind. It was designed to appeal to their hearts and emotions as well as their sense of style, while delivering a lively drive with a spacious cabin and high levels of safety. Picanto is also one of the cleanest, least-polluting cars in Europe with a C02 rating of just 118 g/km.

"Now, we have independent confirmation that those numerous appealing attributes are also backed up by long-term low ownership costs. Picanto sales in Europe so far this year have reached more than 45,000 units and this latest endorsement from the ADAC will encourage further rises in demand for what is already our most popular model," concluded Mr Lievens.

As well as beating the 10 closest rivals (shown in the table below) the Kia Picanto 1.1 LX performed better in Germany than well established models from several major European manufacturers including Renault (Twingo 1.2, 32.0 cents), Ford (Ka 1.3, 32.1), Opel (Agila 1.0, 32.4), Volkswagen (Lupo 3L TDI, 33.6) and Smart (Roadster 0.7, 38.8).

* (Source: ADAC Special Autokosten 2/2005)

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 28 markets in Europe. The European sales target is 330,000 units per year by 2005, thanks to new products and new diesel engines.

About Kia Motors Corporation
Kia Motors Corporation (www.kiamotors.com) - the fastest growing automaker in the world - was founded in 1944 and is Korea´s oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. As part of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Kia aims to become one of the world´s premier automotive brands.
Kia´s 16 manufacturing and assembly operations in 12 countries produce more than 1.1 million vehicles a year that are sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 155 countries. Kia today has 32,000 employees and annual revenues of US$14 billion.
Kia is the major sponsor of the Australian Tennis Open and an official worldwide sponsor of the Davis Cup. Kia Motors Corporation´s brand slogan - ´The Power to Surprise´ - represents the company´s global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation.

Press Contact:

Dr Iris Kirschbaum
Tel 0049 6196 5092 132 Email i.kirschbaum@kia-europe.com

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