South Korean automaker Kia Motors is pinning great hopes on the European market. Company vice president Hyoung-Keun Lee has stated that KIA Motors expects to sell 290,000 units in western Europe this year, increasing this volume to 450,000 units in 2013. KIA Motors' auto sales in western Europe in 2010 amounted to 263,000 units.
Mr. Lee also stated that, as for the overall European market, the sales target is 470,000 units for the current year. On back of the positive growth in demand for the Rio, Picanto and Cee D models, it will be difficult not to sell at least 500,000 units in 2012 in the overall European market, he said.
Mr. Lee added that Kia Motors does not plan to build new plants in Europe, with its most important task currently being to make full use of its existing manufacturing facilities.