In June 2008, Kia was the fastest-growing major auto brand in the U.S., increasing sales by 7.6 percent while total industry sales fell by 18.3 percent.

Coupled with its parent company, Korea's Hyundai/Kia outsold Nissan in the month, becoming the sixth-largest auto company in the United States.   Desert Kia of Tucson set sales records for the month of June 2008.

Sales of Kia's Optima sedan, a mid-sized car that competes with the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, more than doubled. This year, Kia Motors decided to increase the availability of more fuel-efficient, four-cylinder engines in the car, and sales through the first half of the year are up 38.6 percent.   Desert Kia Tucson has the best selection in the state of Arizona of this popular and fuel-efficient sedan.

"Last month was the best June in the history of the company," Kia spokesman Alex Fedorak said. Analysts said Kia has the right mix of products to face $4-per-gallon gasoline. The Rio subcompact, Spectra compact car, Sportage small sports utility, and the Optima all get high gas mileage. And unlike some other sellers, Desert Kia of Tucson in the Automall has ample supplies going into the month of July.