Kia ended 2004 with a record December, selling 2,708 units, a 114% increase on the same month in 2003.

It led to the company’s sixth consecutive record-breaking year with 33,419 sales and a 1.3% market share.

Sales were up 58% year-on-year; the Sedona claimed a 24% market share and the Picanto became Kia’s best seller with 8,879 with a 7.1% market share.

Other top sellers for Kia Motors UK included: the Rio with 7,355 sales, the Sedona with 7,326 sales, the Sorento with 4,778 sales and the Carens with 3,136 units sold.

Paul Williams, managing director says: "Throughout 2004 we saw strong performances from every one of our products – both new and established – as well as major efforts from our expanding dealer network, now up to 155 across the country.

We are determined to continue this performance as the UK’s fastest growing volume market brand and we are looking for another near-50% increase to 45,000 sales in 2005.

"With an all-new car to come in the supermini segment plus diesel additions to the new Sportage and the Cerato family-car ranges as well as a full year of sales for Picanto we expect to maintain our charge up the sales charts."