Kia Motors announced an 18.2% increase in global sales over the previous February, thanks in large part to more working days this month as opposed to last when the Korean Lunar New Year Holiday occurred.

This year’s holiday, which generally takes a toll on production, landed on January 31 this year instead of the its usual mid-February. The extra time meant that more new cars and SUV’s were produced.

The final sales total for February 2014 came in at 242,799 units globally, up from the 205,341 units sold in the same period last year.

The improvements came in the home market, where a 6.4% increase to 35,000 units was the tally, while overseas numbers took an astonishing 20.5% leap over February 2013, with 207,799 units sold.

Kia said that the extra production day combines with the rise in overseas numbers helped them achieve the great February totals. Cars produced in assembly lines overseas also did well, improving by 9.2%.

There were double digit increases in domestic sales for the mini Ray and K9 premium sedan (K900 in the US).

The subcompact Pride (sold as Kia Rio in Europe) also had a strong year over year improvement, as did the K5 (Optima) midsize sedan.

Year-To-Date Kia Sales

Year to date, Kia has seen sales increase by 7.3% over last year, with a total of 500,198 units sold in the first two months.

That represents an 8.6% increase in overseas sales, with domestic numbers taking a slight 02% hit.

Kia Sales USA – February 2014

Kia of USA announced February sales of 41,218 vehicles.

The sales were led by the U.S.-made Optima sedan and the completely redesigned Soul crossover vehicle with 11,226 and 10,584 units sold, respectively.

They were followed by Sorento SUV and Forte compact car with sales of 7,237 and 5,513, respectively.

The just-recently launched 2014 Sportage crossover posted a slight increase in sales last month (compared to the same month a year ago), while Rio sub-compact car experienced a slight decrease in sales.

The Cadenza moved 700 units last month, while Sedona posted the sales of only 457 units.

Kia says the month of February saw the continuation of the marketing campaign to introduce the all-new 2015 K900 luxury car, as well as the biggest showcase of the brand’s “Clean Mobility” program at the 2014 Chicago Auto Show with the global unveiling of the 2014 Optima Hybrid facelift and all-new Soul EV.

Take a closer look at the Kia Motors America sales by model table to see exact sales results and compare the model’s 2013 and 2014 February sales figures.

Kia Canada Sales Up 5.4 percent in February

February marks another strong month for Kia Canada and a great start to 2014 as their sales increase 5,4% from the same month a year ago.

A total of 4,386 vehicles were sold last month, while the total sales for the first two months of the year have hit 8269 units (up 5.6%).

According to Kia Canada, there were 3 all-new models that significantly contributed to higher monthly sales.

Those models were the all-new Forte and Soul with sales up 42.1% and 69%, respectively, and the 2014 Rondo MPV with sales increasing as much as 161%.