Kia Picanto 1.1 LX
‘Most economical car’ in European survey

MT, PR,
July 20, 2005.

A regular survey^* of motoring costs by the highly respected ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil Club) has recently revealed that the Kia Picanto is Germany’s “most economical car” with four seats in the A-segment.

Using the ADAC’s database of 5,500 new cars, the data of the survey confirms the conclusion that the total annual ownership costs for a Kia Picanto 1.1 LX five-door hatchback was 4,537 Euros or just 30.2 cents per kilometer -- making it the economic champion of Germany in its class.

For the survey, published in April 2005, the total annual ownership costs were calculated over a four year period, covering 15,000 kilometers each year, and include purchase price, depreciation, residual value, scheduled servicing and maintenance, fuel, tires, brakes, insurance, taxes and VAT.

According to Yong-Hwan Kim, Senior Executive Vice President and COO of Kia Motors Corporation, “Since bursting onto the scene and taking the automotive world by storm in 2003, the overwhelmingly popular Picanto has been one of our global top sellers, with over 70,780 units sold in 2004. And through the first six months of the current year, the Picanto has been our best seller in overseas markets, with over 56,530 units delivered.”

Jean-Charles Lievens, Senior Vice President Kia Europe, said, “The Picanto was created with European consumers in mind. It was designed to appeal to their hearts and emotions as well as their sense of style, while delivering a lively drive with a spacious cabin and high levels of safety. The Picanto is also one of the cleanest, least-polluting cars in Europe with a CO2 rating of just 118 g/km.

“Now, we have independent confirmation that those numerous appealing attributes are also backed up by long-term low ownership costs. Picanto sales in Europe so far this year have reached more than 45,000 units and this latest endorsement from the ADAC will encourage further rises in demand for what is already our most popular model,” concluded Mr. Lievens.

As well as beating the 10 closest rivals (shown in the table below) the Kia Picanto performed better than well established models from several major European manufacturers including Renault (Twingo 1.2, 32.0 cents), Ford (Ka 1.3. 32.1 cents), Opel (Agila 1.0, 32.4 cents), Volkswagen (Lupo 3L TDI, 33.6 cents) and Smart (Roadster 0.7 , 38.8 cents). 

^* (Source: ADAC Special Autokosten 2/2005)

ADAC Car Costs Survey 2005                    Euro Cents / km 
1  Kia Picanto 1.1 LX 5-door                                30.2
2  Daihatsu Cuore 1.0 Plus 3-door                         30.4
3  Daihatsu Cuore 1.0 Plus 5-door                         30.8
4  Suzuki Alto 1.1 Club 5-door                              31.0
5  Hyundai Atos 1.1 5-door                                   31.1
6  Fiat Seicento 1.1 3-door                                    31.3
7  Citroen C2 1.1 3-door Advance                        31.6
8  Daihatsu Cuore 1.0 Top 3-door                         31.8
9  Citroen C2 1.1 3-door Style                              31.9
10 Suzuki Alto 1.1 Comfort                                   32.0

To visit Kia Motors Corporation website: www.kiamotors.com