British motorists looking for excellent quality coupled with good value are keeping Kia (UK), at the top of the brand's European sales league. With the cee'd family setting new records in the retail sales sector and demand for Picanto outstripping supply, plus strong growth for Rio the Weybridge-based company remains the best-performing operation under the Kia Motors Europe umbrella both in July and in the year to date.

During July the company delivered vehicle sales of 2316, comfortably ahead of Spain, Germany, Italy and France. And that meant the UK subsidiary kept its crown for the year to date with total sales in the seven months of 20,550, almost 3000 units ahead of Germany and even more ahead of Spain, Italy and France.

Overall the Kia brand has delivered a positive performance throughout Europe during 2008 despite the economic downturn affecting so many brands. The total sales volume for the year to the end of July of 155,808 is up by one per cent compared to 2007.

"The Kia brand has outperformed the market in the UK this year and has been especially strong since credit-crunch worries hit new car sales,” Paul Philpott, managing director of KMUK said. “We have a fantastic range of well-built and quality vehicles — backed in the case of cee'd by the industry-leading seven year warranty — and whilst some brands are watching their sales freefall our dealer network has been busy convincing real people that Kia represents excellent value for their hard-earned and under-threat income.

"With more exciting new products to come during the next 12 months the Kia brand is not resting on its laurels and is committed to giving people fun and quality cars that stand out in today's difficult economic climate," he added.

Philpott also commented that being the number one market in Europe throughout 2008 was a major motivation for KMUK staff and dealers and that they were all determined to keep that title throughout 2008 and into the future.