IRVINE, Calif. (AP) -- Kia Motors America said Thursday that 2012 sales jumped nearly 15 percent thanks to higher demand of its Rio and Optima cars.
BY THE NUMBERS: The South Korean automaker sold 557,599 vehicles in 2012, up from 485,492 in 2011. Sales fell to 39,178 in December from 43,390 December 2011.
TOP SELLER: Kia sold 152,399 of its Optima sedan in 2012, a rise of 80 percent from 2011.
HOT MODELS: Sales of the Rio doubled to 40,275 in 2012.