3.03 PM Friday, 29 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:56 06:10 12:26 15:53 18:37 19:52
29 March 2024

Kia exports to MEA up 10% to 323,800 units

The new Kia Sorento. (Supplied)

Published
By Staff

South Korean automaker Kia Motors on Monday said it exported record 323,807 vehicles to the Middle East and Africa (MEA) in 2014, up 10% from the previous year, led by strong demand from Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi kingdom witnessed substantial growth, recording a total of 70,421 units, representing a 70 per cent year-on-year increase.

Alex Chung, President of Kia Motors Middle East & Africa Regional Headquarters, said: “Our results speak for themselves and highlight the progress Kia is making in the delivery of its promise to surprise. 2014’s results have established a strong platform to maintain this growth in 2015, and with exciting new models being launched this year we hope to continue this success.”

The most desired Kia vehicle in the MEA was Cerato as 54,914 units were exported, followed by Rio at 54,487 units, Picanto at 53,187 and Sportage at 47,613.

Kia’s sedan line up of Optima and Cadenza showed tremendous increase, with Optima exports growing 67 per cent to 29,070 and Cadenza for 83 per cent to 5,413 vehicles.

In the SUV segment, the recently launched Sorento has created substantial interest and played a significant role in increasing traffic to showrooms.

Kia’s year-on-year exports to Egypt rose 40 per cent to 17,213 units and Bahrain up 36 per cent to 4,629. It exported 16,466 units to the UAE, an increase of 11 per cent.