Kia ends 2012 with 57.4% sales increase

Columbian Autocar Corp. (CAC), exclusive distributor of Kia vehicles in the Philippines, ended the year with an impressive 57.4-percent year-on-year increase according to the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI).

From the 4,782 units sold in 2011, CAC closed the year with a solid 7,527 units. Outperforming other automotive brands in 2012, CAC’s 57-percent improvement in sales is the highest growth rate by any member of CAMPI.

“2012 was a really good year for the automotive industry and the enormous growth from our 2011 figures is a testament to that,” said CAC president, Ms. Ginia R. Domingo. “The increase in sales can be greatly attributed to the strong performance of our Sportage and Rio models. The All-New Kia Rio was launched only in early 2012 but it’s already one of our best-selling nameplates, definitely a favorite among Kia fans.”

Notable KMC milestones in 2012 included two company firsts: entering the ranks of InterBrand’s ‘Top 100 Best Global Brands’ and launching the All-New Kia Quoris luxury flagship sedan. The Quoris was revealed in the Philippines 2012 at the 4th Philippine International Motor Show along with the new Kia Sorento and Optima.

Globally, Kia Motors Corp. (KMC) announced that its sales for passenger cars (export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants), recreational vehicles (RVs) and commercial vehicles for 2012 reached an all-time high of 2,710,017 units, reinforcing Kia’s position as one of the world’s fastest-growing automakers. This figure represents an annual year-on-year increase of 9.3 percent and marks the first time in the company’s history that it has eclipsed the 2.7 million unit sales mark.

Thomas Oh, executive vice president & COO of Kia Motors Corp., said, “The year 2012 was another period of significant milestones for the Kia brand, and our ongoing product offensive will continue in 2013 with the start of production of eight next generation, upgraded or body style variants, including the All-New Carens and Soul as well as refreshed versions of the Optima, Sportage and Rio. Given the difficult global market environment expected in 2013, we at Kia will embark on a new era of qualitative growth in all areas of the business to prepare ourselves for a new wave of sales expansion in the coming years.”