KIA REVEALS THREE EXCITING NEW MODELS AT GENEVA

• World premieres for all-new Carnival MPV and ´cee´d´ concept hatchback
• First European appearance for upgraded 2006 Kia Sorento SUV

Kia Motors Europe Headquarters, Eschborn, Germany - 2 March 2006

Kia Motors Corporation unveils three exciting new vehicles at the 76th Salon de l´Automobiles, which opens to the public today (Thursday) in Geneva, Switzerland. One of Europe´s most prestigious mo-tor shows, Geneva is a fitting venue for the world premiere of the all-new Kia Carnival MPV (short body version) and the all-new cee´d concept five-door C-segment hatchback, plus the first appearance in Europe of the upgraded 2006 Kia Sorento SUV.

All-new Carnival ´made for Europe´
Taller, wider but shorter than the previous model, the new short-wheelbase version of the all-new Kia Carnival (´Sedona´ in some markets) has been redesigned from the ground up and created especially with European consumers in mind.

New Carnival will bring customers new benefits in the key areas of cabin space, seating comfort, interior build quality, versatility and overall packaging, so important to MPV buyers. Seven individual seats are mounted in a new 2+3+2 layout and all five middle and back row seats can be individually moved, reclined, folded or removed. Powered twin sliding rear doors and a powered tailgate will be available for Kia´s 4.8-metre long MPV which goes on sale in Europe this Spring.

With a thoroughly modern appearance outside and inside the vehicle, improved performance and
enhanced fuel economy are assured with a choice of two new 189 ps V6 gasoline and 185 ps VGT diesel engines. To make city driving even easier, Carnival now has a reduced turning radius of just 5.5 metres, and to enhanced country driving the all-new rear suspension system is fully independent.

Concept car points to Kia´s future design trend
The stunningly attractive, precisely styled show car, named cee´d (pronounced ´seed´), is based on the forthcoming all-new C-segment model which Kia will begin building at its first-ever European
assembly plant in Slovakia from December 2006.

With its tough appearance, combining strongly solid forms with sensitively flowing lines, jewel-like detailing and a broad stance, cee´d points towards the future elements of Kia´s evolving design
language.

cee´d features flowing lines carried through strong forms. The major flow-line runs from low on the nose spoiler, around the grill, over the bonnet, up the A-pillar, along the roof rail to the tailgate spoi-ler, down the C-pillar and around the rear bumper - enveloping the whole car.

cee´d is finished in ´English Pewter´ bespoke exterior paint, blended to give the external surfaces a unique warm luster that is echoed by the interior. The extended, flared wheel arches envelop bespoke 19-inch diameter polished aluminum wheels sporting 265/30 R19 low-profile tires.

The Geneva Show concept car is named cee´d for two reasons. ´CEE´ to symbolize that both the con-cept and the forthcoming production model are ´made in Europe´ with European consumers in mind. And to represent the ´seed´ for future growth in Kia sales, which the new model will undoubtedly ensure.

Upgraded 2006 Kia Sorento
Kia has given its popular 4x4 Sorento SUV a healthy power boost for both the diesel and gasoline engines, plus the addition of several significant comfort, quality and safety features and a refreshed appearance, with a soft evolution of its fine original good looks and a touch more elegance.

In Europe, the 2006 Sorento offers consumers a choice of two high-power engines -- a 170 ps diesel with 21% more power and an advanced variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) or a new, fuel-efficient 3.3-litre V6 gasoline unit that punches out more than 235 ps.

Inside, the centre stack and centre floor console are revised with a neater layout and higher quality materials. In the rear, legroom is increased by reshaping the backs of the front seats, and the rear seats are now more easily adjustable.

The bold exterior has always given the Sorento a formidable on-road presence and for 2006, Kia´s creative team has given the SUV a more contemporary image that is both elegant and confident. One of Kia´s biggest success stories, the Sorento was one of Kia´s best sellers globally with nearly 144,000 units sold in 2005.

- Ends -

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 29 markets in Europe.

About Kia Motors Corporation
Kia Motors Corporation (www.kiamotors.com) - one of the fastest growing automakers 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 von Kirschbaum
Tel 0049 6196 5092 132 Email i.kirschbaum@kia-europe.com

Kia Motors Europe GmbH
Hauptstrasse 185, 65760 Eschborn, Germany.
Tel 0049 6196 5092 132 / Fax 0049 6196 5092 100