Riding high on the crest of a 61 percent increase in sales in the first half of this year, Kia plans to accelerate its sales growth in the second half of 2001 by ignoring price rise moves across the market and instead dropping its prices by up to $3,000.

Back below the bar
The price change brings the Carnival seven seat people mover back under $30,000.

That's a critical barrier to the price-conscious buyer, and one which Carnival slipped comfortably under until the rises began.

Its time in that  price position, with its V6 engine and generous equipment levels, had enabled it to become Australia’s top selling people mover.

More door choices
Rio, the only model in its class to offer a choice of five or four doors for the price of a three door competitor, is back under $15,000 during the sale.

And Kia has not reduced equipment levels to reach this price. The Rio continues to offer aircon, CD player, central locking, engine immobiliser and a driver’s side air bag all as standard.

Ready for the offroad
Giving it an edge in the `real vs wannabe’ argument, the Kia Sportage has a separate chassis and low range gearbox, ensuring it can go where others fear to tread.

With aircon, central locking, electric windows and a CD player as standard, and now at $23,990, it also goes where other 4x4s fear to price!

Kia’s newest model, the Optima offers a state-of-the-art V6 engine with the option of a Tiptronic style automatic gearbox, and is not excluded from the mid-winter sale, with Optima now available from $24,990.

The past 12 months have seen Kia Australia significantly increase its sales, but managing director Ric Hull wants to improve that rate of growth.

"To enable us to do this, and in the face of the low Australian dollar that has forced other car makers to put up their prices, " said Mr Hull.