WITH three all-new vehicle ranges, Picanto, Rio (right) and Optima, to be launched by Kia this year, the company expects to hold on to or even beat its 2010 total volume.

Although scrappage boosted sales at the start of 2010, Kia has sold more cars at the start of this year, than last, despite an increase in VAT.

Managing director of Kia UK said: “There had been a general expectation that retail customers might be dissuaded from buying new cars because of the increase in VAT, but that didn't seem to be a factor for us and our dealers.

“There wasn't a big rush in December to beat the VAT increase and we didn’t see a fall-off in demand in January, quite the reverse.

“For we saw our retail non-scrappage sales increase from 886 in January 2010 to 1,505 this January — a remarkable volume given the continuing uncertainty in the economy.

“And whilst our overall volume has fallen compared to last year we have still recorded an excellent 2.4 per cent share of the total market, up from 1.9 per cent last January, when you take out the scrappage effect," he added.

Nigel Demaline at Perrys Kia in Burnley, added: “We are delighted to be able to offer such inspiring vehicles that are really bucking the trend.

"The seven year warranty is definitely helping towards to impressive sales figures.”