-Kia Canada begins 2011 with record January in 11 year history
-January sales volume exceeds 3000 sales for the first time
-January 2011 sales increase 26.2 per cent
-All Kia Canada Regions in Canada experience record January
-Sales growth momentum continues at industry leading 25 months
Mississauga, ON, February 1, 2011 – Kia Canada Inc. recorded its best-ever sales in January and a quick start to 2011 with 3049 sales and a 26.2 per cent increase versus 2010. This was the first time in Kia Canada’s eleven year history that sales volume surpassed 3000 units in January. Record January sales were evident throughout the country with all four Regions – Western, Central, Eastern and Atlantic reporting a best-ever month to start the New Year. Additionally, the industry-best two year sales growth momentum was also extended to 25 months.
“It is imperative that Kia Canada and its dealer network start out the year with aggressive sales momentum, which is indicative to our quest for another record year in 2011” said Maria Soklis, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Kia Canada Inc. “With the launch of the all-new 2011 Kia Optima mid-size sedan in March coupled with other key launches in 2011, Kia Canada along with our dealer network are provisioned for an exceptional year”.
January sales volume was led by the red-hot Kia Sorento Compact Utility Vehicle (CUV) with a best-ever January reporting 939 vehicles sold along with the Kia Soul, Urban Utility Vehicle reporting 558 units or a 5.9 per cent increase versus previous year. “These vehicles and our entire product portfolio have consistently been our staple to success in Canada since their inception which began over 24 months ago with the Soul” said Robert Staffieri, Director of Marketing Kia Canada Inc. “We also expect the all-new 2011 Kia Sportage CUV to become a volume leader with production increasing for Canada in 2011 as sales increased in January by 41 per cent versus previous year.”
The month of January also debuted the launch of the “KV7” concept vehicle at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit which has been conceived as a modern-day “activity van”. The 2011 Montreal Auto Show provided the Canadian debut for the all-new 2011 Sportage SX which features the all-new flagship 2.0L Turbo Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine producing power of a V6, while achieving outstanding fuel economy of a four-cylinder. In addition, the all-new 2011 Optima EX luxury mid-size sedan made a surprise Canadian debut for the last three days of the Montreal Show exciting attendees. In advance of its Canadian launch this spring, the 2011 Optima has already achieved best-in-class fuel efficiency and a “Top Safety Pick” by the award by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) which achieves the highest possible crash safety rating in all four tests conducted by the organization.
In early January, the all-new 2011 Kia Sportage CUV was awarded “Best SUV / Crossover under $40,000” by the World of Wheels Editors’ Choice Awards. This is the third Canadian award attained by the Sportage since its launch in July 2010. Momentum continued at the 2011 North American International Autoshow in Detroit, where the 2011 Kia Sportage was presented “International Truck of the Year” in the United States by the ICOTY jury.
Both the 2011 Kia Sportage and 2011 Optima were also recently awarded the “iF Design Award” recognizing design quality, and other criteria, including workmanship, innovation, eco-friendliness, ergonomics and safety.
February Incentives
Kia Canada continues its retail incentive program for February “The Kia New Year’s Revolution” allowing a cash purchase of the 2011 Rio for $9995 (plus delivery, destination, applicable taxes and other fees) when combining all incentive offers. Incentive offers for February are up to $6000. A unique offering of 0% financing over an 84 month term will be available on all 2011Kia Rio sub-compact vehicles along with the recent addition of 0% financing over a 60 month term for the 2011 Kia Soul. In addition, other low rate financing for other 2011 vehicles will be available along with the offer of “Don’t Pay until Spring”. These options make it easier to acquire a new Kia vehicle. Cash buyers can also select up to seven vehicles from Kia Canada’s line-up for under $20,000.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Max Papis and Action Express Racing: Rolex 24 At Daytona Race Recap
DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Action Express Racing went into the 49th running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona looking to recreate the excitement of its upset win in the prestigious race one year earlier. After a long and hard-fought 24 hours, the No. 9 Porsche/Riley found itself once again in the middle of a historic finish, but this time had to settle for a third-place podium finish.
With just eight minutes remaining in the race, the caution flag flew for debris from a blown tire on the No. 90 Spirit of Daytona Chevrolet, bunching up the four remaining cars on the lead lap for a one lap sprint for the win. Lining up third behind the No. 01 and No. 02 for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sababtes -- and ahead of the No. 23 United Autosports Ford -- driver Joao Barbosa made a last ditch effort to claim the second position, falling just short.
“I thought on the last lap I could have pushed a little bit for second place, but I had to defend third place at the same time, so I couldn’t push too hard,” said Barbosa, who piloted the winning car one year ago. “I’m extremely pleased with the outcome.”
Added team owner Bob Johnson: “It was exciting, you have to give it that. You don’t see those types of finishes in this series too much. At first I wasn’t going to watch at all, but then it started to become possible to move forward and we were all jumping up and down.”
The first race for Action Express with its two-car lineup went well. Neither team had the mechanical problems that plague most teams over a 24-hour race – a great sign of things to come for 2011 – and in the end, both teams finished with top 10s.
“That’s a huge accomplishment. Just to finish this race is a big win,” Johnson said. “This team worked extremely hard. They’re a hard-working group of guys and I had no doubt that we would finish. We finished well so I certainly have to be happy with that.”
It was a near perfect day for both the No. 5 and No. 9. The only slip-up came in the race’s 18th hour when David Donohue looped the No. 5 Porsche/Riley in the chicane and did not have a clutch pedal to get the car refired. It took the team three laps to get the car towed and back on track and the team eventually finished 9th, four laps down.
“I went under the No. 59 in the chicane and it just didn’t really slow down much. I got into the dirt and around it went,” said Donohue of the spin. “It’s frustrating. We would’ve only lost a little bit of track position if we would’ve had a clutch. These guys do such a great job and it was an on-track error that cost us a podium.”
Still, with a podium and a pair of top 10s, Action Express opens the season once again with momentum coming out of Daytona. They will look to make the podium for a second time when the series returns to Homestead-Miami Speedway on March 4-5 for the Grand-Prix of Miami.
ACTION EXPRESS DRIVER QUOTES FROM THE THIRD-PLACE FINISHING NO. 9 PORSCHE/RILEY:
JOAO BARBOSA:
“It was a very difficult race for us. We didn’t have the outright speed for the Ganassi guys, but all the drivers and the team did such a great job. We were on the lead lap the whole time. I thought on the last lap I could have pushed a little bit for second place, but I had to defend my third place also so I couldn’t push too hard. I’m really pleased with the outcome."
TERRY BORCHELLER:
"What an amazing race. I couldn’t be happier to be able to finish third and be on the podium for the second year. This is such a great driver lineup, it’s been a blast. This is really awesome."
CHRISTIAN FITTIPALDI:
“Obviously it feels good to be on the podium, but we were aiming to win and that’s what we all expected. But with all of this competition, just to finish the 24-hour race, I’m happy. I think we lacked a little bit of speed, and that was it. Apart from that it was a great team effort. We didn’t make any mistakes and the team did an immaculate job in the pits. We’ll hope for the best when we come back next year.”
MAX PAPIS:
“I’m extremely proud of the whole team. This was definitely an effort by everybody. The drivers did an unbelievable job and the crew did a perfect job in the pits. Today we proved that we are here, and on the last lap we were fighting for the win. That’s what you want. You can’t ask for anything better.”
For more information about Max Papis, please visit www.maxpapis.com
You can also follow Max Papis on Twitter at www.twitter.com/maxpapis
With just eight minutes remaining in the race, the caution flag flew for debris from a blown tire on the No. 90 Spirit of Daytona Chevrolet, bunching up the four remaining cars on the lead lap for a one lap sprint for the win. Lining up third behind the No. 01 and No. 02 for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sababtes -- and ahead of the No. 23 United Autosports Ford -- driver Joao Barbosa made a last ditch effort to claim the second position, falling just short.
“I thought on the last lap I could have pushed a little bit for second place, but I had to defend third place at the same time, so I couldn’t push too hard,” said Barbosa, who piloted the winning car one year ago. “I’m extremely pleased with the outcome.”
Added team owner Bob Johnson: “It was exciting, you have to give it that. You don’t see those types of finishes in this series too much. At first I wasn’t going to watch at all, but then it started to become possible to move forward and we were all jumping up and down.”
The first race for Action Express with its two-car lineup went well. Neither team had the mechanical problems that plague most teams over a 24-hour race – a great sign of things to come for 2011 – and in the end, both teams finished with top 10s.
“That’s a huge accomplishment. Just to finish this race is a big win,” Johnson said. “This team worked extremely hard. They’re a hard-working group of guys and I had no doubt that we would finish. We finished well so I certainly have to be happy with that.”
It was a near perfect day for both the No. 5 and No. 9. The only slip-up came in the race’s 18th hour when David Donohue looped the No. 5 Porsche/Riley in the chicane and did not have a clutch pedal to get the car refired. It took the team three laps to get the car towed and back on track and the team eventually finished 9th, four laps down.
“I went under the No. 59 in the chicane and it just didn’t really slow down much. I got into the dirt and around it went,” said Donohue of the spin. “It’s frustrating. We would’ve only lost a little bit of track position if we would’ve had a clutch. These guys do such a great job and it was an on-track error that cost us a podium.”
Still, with a podium and a pair of top 10s, Action Express opens the season once again with momentum coming out of Daytona. They will look to make the podium for a second time when the series returns to Homestead-Miami Speedway on March 4-5 for the Grand-Prix of Miami.
ACTION EXPRESS DRIVER QUOTES FROM THE THIRD-PLACE FINISHING NO. 9 PORSCHE/RILEY:
JOAO BARBOSA:
“It was a very difficult race for us. We didn’t have the outright speed for the Ganassi guys, but all the drivers and the team did such a great job. We were on the lead lap the whole time. I thought on the last lap I could have pushed a little bit for second place, but I had to defend my third place also so I couldn’t push too hard. I’m really pleased with the outcome."
TERRY BORCHELLER:
"What an amazing race. I couldn’t be happier to be able to finish third and be on the podium for the second year. This is such a great driver lineup, it’s been a blast. This is really awesome."
CHRISTIAN FITTIPALDI:
“Obviously it feels good to be on the podium, but we were aiming to win and that’s what we all expected. But with all of this competition, just to finish the 24-hour race, I’m happy. I think we lacked a little bit of speed, and that was it. Apart from that it was a great team effort. We didn’t make any mistakes and the team did an immaculate job in the pits. We’ll hope for the best when we come back next year.”
MAX PAPIS:
“I’m extremely proud of the whole team. This was definitely an effort by everybody. The drivers did an unbelievable job and the crew did a perfect job in the pits. Today we proved that we are here, and on the last lap we were fighting for the win. That’s what you want. You can’t ask for anything better.”
For more information about Max Papis, please visit www.maxpapis.com
You can also follow Max Papis on Twitter at www.twitter.com/maxpapis
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