Kia achieved a record sales performance in July with 6,027 vehicles delivered to customers – up from 5,593 in 2012.

Its year to date market share reached 3.26% with sales so far amounting to 43,205 vehicles.

Its market share of 3.72% was slightly lower than last year when it represented 3.89% of a market that was 12.5% smaller than this year.

Leading Kia's performance was Sportage with 1,707 customers taking delivery during July with the all new Ceed in second place with 1,365 sales. 

Those two models also took the top two positions in the year to date sales charts with 12,433 and 8,743 sales respectively. 

Picanto, Rio and Venga completed Kia's top five with sales in July of 998, 807 and 555 units respectively.

Paul Philpott, president and chief executive of Kia Motors (UK) Limited said: "We have set new sales records almost every month this year and clearly our excellent dealer network and our line-up of stylish, high quality cars, backed by the best warranty in the business, is a strong attraction as the new car market continues to show the way out of the recession.

“The SMMT are now forecasting a much stronger market this year and everyone at Kia will be looking to make the most of that opportunity."