Last year saw the brand record a total of 66,629 registrations, of which over 35,000 units went to fleet – a 32% increase on the previous year’s figure. The rise gave the company a fleet market share of 3.1% – almost a full percentage point ahead of the previous year.

John Hargreaves, head of fleet and remarketing at Kia, said: ‘Performance was strong in all segments of the market with particularly strong growth in the corporate and contract hire areas. The range performed strongly with particular success for Sportage.’

Looking ahead to 2013, he said: ‘Our ambitions for this year are continued growth whilst maintaining a good sales channel mix, with the protection of residual values being of paramount importance.

‘As companies continue to drive costs down the range is in a strong position to increase sales and the first full year of the  range of new cee’ds should produce good volumes.’