(April 1, 2011) IRVINE, Calif. (PRNewswire) — Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced its best ever monthly sales of 44,179, a 44.7-percent increase from March 2010, and a 34.7-percent increase over last month. This marks KMA's seventh consecutive month of record sales.

For the first time in company history Kia had two vehicles — Sorento and Soul — post sales of more than 10,000 units in a single month. The record March total helped KMA achieve its best-ever quarterly sales result with 104,774 units sold, surpassing the previous record of 97,955 units sold in the third quarter of 2010.

"Kia's design-led transformation has delivered a diverse lineup of stylish and fun-to-drive vehicles, and with rising fuel prices, more and more consumers are visiting our showrooms to take advantage of the outstanding fuel economy each of our vehicles offer," said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG). 

"Led by the Sorento and Soul, our record results are a reflection of the tremendous impact our fuel-efficient and technology-laden vehicles have made with consumers, and new levels of performance in models like the turbocharged Optima and Sportage will continue to surprise and impress consumers who turn to Kia while shopping for a new vehicle."

Kia said that the record sales performance illustrates the growing awareness and consideration of the Kia brand resulting from the company's global commitment to quality, safety, design, technology and overall value. 

In March, the all-new 2011 Optima became the first Korean-built vehicle to be awarded a five-star crash safety rating under NHTSA's new, stricter guidelines and the 2011 Sportage CUV was named the "Best New Crossover Vehicle" in the 2011 Readers' Choice Awards by About.com.