IRVINE, Calif. -

With a big push from its perennially best-selling Sorento model, Kia Motors America notched its best-ever month for the second straight time.

The automaker moved 47,074 units in April, up 6.6 percent over March when Kia hit its previous best-ever mark. April’s sales also represent a 56.7-percent year-over-year hike.

Kia moved more than 12,000 Sorento models during April, marking the model’s strongest month ever. The Sorento has been Kia’s top seller every single month since January 2010.

Meanwhile, Kia enjoyed its second straight month of more than 10,000 unit sales for its Soul model and continues to see burgeoning demand for the Optima, officials reported.

“More and more car shoppers are being drawn to Kia as a result of our commitment to offering stylish, fuel efficient and high quality vehicles, such as the
Sorento and Soul, that exceed the expectations of today’s discriminating consumers at a tremendous value,” stated Byung Mo Ahn, group president and chief executive officer of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia.

“Demand for the new Optima has outpaced supply since its launch last year, and with gas prices continuing to rise, the upcoming launch of Kia’s first-ever hybrid vehicle couldn’t be coming at a better time. The 2011 Optima Hybrid will deliver class leading fuel efficiency, world-class design, and modern amenities that will resonate with American consumers and further validate Kia’s tremendous value proposition,” the executive added.