Kia Motors has exceeded 100 thousand for the first time this year, ever since Kia penetrated the Western Europe market with its Pride in 1991. 
According to Kia Motors on Oct. 24, for the first nine months of 2003, total automobiles exported to West Europe was 99,307 cars and early this month the sum has ‘lightly’ exceeded 100 thousand and steadily heading for a goal of 150,000. 
Sales from January to September has increased 52.41% over the same period last year and has exceeded 10.3% of last year’s total sales of 90,021. 
Compact car ‘Rio’ is the most popular among Kia cars topping 27,837 and the sport-utility vehicle ‘Sorento’ which as started marketing in June has sold 20,365. 
Carnival (19,291), Carens (16,157), Spectra (5,745) and other models has also steadily maintained sales. 
Kia Motors has exported 7,942 cars in August to 18 countries within the European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Kia has also accomplished 1% market share after 12 years since it has entered the European market and leads sales records from January to August of 2003. 
(The rest is omitted) 
Source : Yonhap News Agency, Oct. 24, 2003