Kia's car sales increase

Kia's car sales increase

SEOUL (Reuter): Kia Motors, South Korea's second largest carmaker, reported yesterday sales of 72,353 vehicles in April, up from 68,373 a year earlier.

Exports were 40,070 against 28,012 a year earlier and domestic sales 32,283 against 40,361, a statement said.

"Exports to the United States, Europe and Indonesia increased steadily in April," said a Kia spokesman. But he did not give further details.

He said domestic sales were hampered by a slowing economy that forced consumers to cut spending on durable goods like cars.

Recent introduction of new models by the nation's third-ranked Daewoo Motor Co Ltd also affected Kia's domestic sales in the month, he said.

Daewoo began selling its Leganza mid-sized sedans in April.