SORENTO TOPS OWNER-SATISFACTION CHARTS

• JD Power annual owner survey in UK rates Kia Sorento ´best-in-class´
• Sorento is the only 4x4 to score the maximum ´5-Star´ rating
• Sorento ranks 7th overall in 124 vehicle satisfaction league table

Kia Motors Europe Headquarters, Eschborn, Germany - 18 April 2005

On its first appearance in the UK´s annual JD Power & Associates Customer Satisfaction Index survey, the Kia Sorento has scored a clear class victory with a triple achievement - best 4x4, only 4x4 with a ´5-Star´ rating and 7th overall. The Kia Sorento comfortably beat well-established products from Honda, Toyota and Nissan.

With a customer satisfaction rating of 84%, the Sorento and its ownership experience were described by JD Power associate WhatCar? magazine as ´good or above average in seven of the eight survey categories… the cabin is practical, seats comfortable, styling attractive… dealers are helpful and polite… some of the lowest running-costs in the 4x4 class… a worthy winner´.

"Kia has made giant steps to improve its entire model range in recent years and the JD Power survey results confirm that the Sorento is an immensely satisfying vehicle to own," commented Jean-Charles Lievens, Senior Vice President Kia Europe. "The popularity of our larger 4x4 model in Europe, which was boosted by the introduction of diesel power mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, enabled Sorento to attract more than 31,500 buyers in 2004 - a 28% rise over 2003. This year, sales are up a further 7% confirming this model´s undoubted appeal to European consumers."

The JD Power survey contacted 90,000 UK owners (selected at random) who purchased new vehicles between September 2002 and August 2003. For a vehicle to appear in the survey at least 50 owners of that model had to complete and return the 70-question survey form. The Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) was calculated by JD Power from owners´ assessments in eight categories: vehicle performance, interior comfort and practicality, exterior styling, mechanical, interior and exterior problems, dealer service and ownership costs.

In the all-vehicles overall league table of 124 models, the Kia Sorento ranked 7th - outperforming its main 4x4 competitors who could only manage rankings in 13th, 15th, 16th and 27th places.

JD Power Customer Satisfaction Index 2005
4x4s

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 13 countries produce more than 1.1 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 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