Kia Motors America Announces New Vice President of Marketing

Michael Sprague Joins Kia

IRVINE, Calif., July 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors America, Inc. (KMA)
today announced Michael Sprague will be joining the company as vice president,
marketing, effective August 11, 2008. In his new role with Kia, Sprague will
direct and manage all aspects of the marketing department, including brand
marketing, advertising, retail marketing, sponsorships, CRM, product planning
and public relations. This position will report directly to B.M. Ahn, group
president and chief executive officer, KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing
Georgia (KMMG).
"Michael's strong marketing background coupled with his international
experience will help us achieve our goal of continually raising the brand
profile," said Byung Mo Ahn. "And his extensive automotive industry knowledge
will add to our team's ability to increase sales despite a difficult economic
environment."
Most recently, Mr. Sprague served as group marketing manager for Ford
Motor Company's Lincoln Mercury division. Prior to that he was corporate
brand strategy manager in Ford's Chief Marketing Office in Detroit where he
led the development of the global brand architecture for Ford Motor Company.
Additional key positions Mr. Sprague held at Ford Motor Company include:
cross brand strategy manager; cross brand product marketing manager; advanced
product strategy manager, Mercury; regional marketing manager, Lincoln
Mercury; and other field assignments in sales and marketing. Mr. Sprague also
served as general manager, global brand marketing for Mazda Motor Corporation
in Japan.
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the sales, marketing and distribution arm of
Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete
line of vehicles through more than 640 dealers throughout the United States.
For 2007, KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of record U.S. sales. Kia
Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe
and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are
exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline "The Power to Surprise."
Kia Motors America is the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA."
Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available
at its Web site -- http://www.kia.com. For media information, including
photography, visit http://www.kiamedia.com.
SOURCE Kia Motors America, Inc.

Alex Fedorak of Kia Motors America, Inc., +1-949-468-4813,
Afedorak@kiausa.com