BRAINTREE, MASS. 09/21/2010readMedia With no Cash for Clunkers to attract buyers in August, many automakers watched as year-over-year sales skidded. Yet Kia Motors found some bright spots in its model lineup, with Kia Forte sales up 54% and the popular 2011 Kia Sorento continuing to lead sales with 9,038 vehicles sold.
While August sales dipped 19% from 2009s stimulus-inflated levels, Kia still managed a 3.25% increase in market share, marking the third consecutive month of market growth for the Korean automaker. on a year-to-date basis, Kia sales are up 9.7% through the end of August.
“The good news is that we dont need government stimulus money to keep Forte and Sorento sales strong,” said General Manager James Lewis of Quirk Kia, a Greater Boston Kia dealer. “The Forte is gaining ground against other compact sedans, especially the Japanese compacts, because it delivers more at a very attractive price.”
With a 2.0-liter, 16-valve 4-cylinder engine, the Kia Forte outperforms the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla in both raw power and fuel economy. the Forte pushes out 156 horsepower, 16 more than Civic and 24 more than Corolla, while delivering 27 mpg/city and 36 mpg/highway with the available fuel economy package, numbers that rival the efficiency of smaller subcompact cars. Without the fuel saver package, the Forte still provides an impressive 23 mpg/city 31 mpg/highway.
Inside, the Forte leads its class with 96.8 cubic feet of cabin space and 14.7 cubic feet of trunk space. High-tech creature comforts include standard Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio and a USB port for an MP3 player, features that remain costly extras even on larger sedans.
As a compact sedan rather than a subcompact, the Forte already has an advantage for Massachusetts Kia owners who want the security that extra steel and body size provide on the road.
Kia adds electronic stability control, traction control and four-wheel disc brakes as standard features, along with front and rear side-curtain airbags. the Forte also passed tougher Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests to earn a top Safety Pick award for 2010.
Beyond the Fortes performance, safety and functionality is its aesthetic appeal. Kias compact sedan has a clean look, with the lines from the deceptively short trunk lid sloping down toward the front of the car. the stylish design and abundance of standard features helped the 2010 Forte win recognition as the Edmunds.com top Rated Sedan under $15,000.
“The new Forte is a lot more than a simple commuter sedan,” Lewis said. “While the price and fuel economy are attractive, its the extra features and the performance that make it one of our top sellers. this is a car that dares to be more and challenges the competition to catch up.”
About Quirk Kia of Braintree:
Quirk Kias goal is to achieve loyal, lifelong customers by providing superior value and service in every aspect of the automobile purchase and ownership experience. Minutes from downtown Boston, Quirk Kia is a premier Greater Boston Kia dealer renowned for its commitment to automotive excellence. stop by and see for yourself why Quirk Works! Visit Quirk Kia online at www. quirkkia. com, like them on Facebook at http://www. facebook. com/QuirkCars, call them at 781-917-1202 or visit their showroom at 443 Quincy Ave in Braintree, MA.
Sales Growth Is This Kias Forte