Kia has enjoyed a strong start to 2014, claiming a top 10 position in the new vehicle sales rankings on the back of a 7.6 per cent increase over the previous January.

According to VFACTS data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, Kia's January sales were 2484, placing Kia 10th on the new car sales table with strong performances by key models in the range.

The compact SUV Sportage, now fully sourced out of Europe, was the top selling model for the month with 632 sales _ an increase of 50.5 per cent above the same month last year. Backing the strength of the SUV market the large Sorento jumped 12.9 per cent with 314 new cars sold.

"It has been a very pleasing start to the year for a range of reasons," Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer, Tony Barlow said. "It is not only the number that is good but even more import and exciting is the range of key models that have seen a jump in sales.