Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group is world’s sixth largest automaker in 2005

-Group posts global sales gain of 11.6% in 2005

(SEOUL) June 8, 2006 -- The Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group ranks as the sixth largest automotive manufacturer in the world, according to the Detroit-based weekly Automotive News.

In Automotive News’ most recent survey of global automotive sales and production, Hyundai Motor Co. and its subsidiary Kia Motors Corp. registered an 11.6 percent jump in global sales in 2005 to 3,715,096 units. It was the largest percentage gain of any carmaker in the million-plus sales category. With it, Hyundai and Kia climbed one spot in the global rankings.

Kia Motors has enjoyed double digit sales gains in Europe, China and Australia while in the more competitive North American market a more modest pace of growth has been registered.

The survey results were published in the June 5, 2006 edition of Automotive News and include sales of cars, light trucks, commercial vehicles and buses.

Ranking Automaker 2005 Global Sales

1 General Motors 8,381,805
2 Toyota Motor Corp. 8,120,000
3 Ford Motor Co. 6,208,700
4 Volkswagen AG 5,242,793
5 DaimlerChrysler AG 4,854,700
6 Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group 3,715,095
7 Nissan Motor Co. 3,597,748
8 PSA/Peugeot-Citroen SA 3,390,000
9 Honda Motor Co. 3,365,000
10 Renault SA 2,533,428
*Source: Automotive News June 5, 2006 Edition