Kia Motors Corp., South Korea's second-largest automaker, emerged as the No. 1 car seller in Israel last month thanks to strong demand for the Sportage SUV and the Morning city car, industry data showed Friday.
  

According to the data, Kia Motors sold 2,560 vehicles in Israel last month, emerging as the No. 1 player in sales over Japanese carmaker Toyota, which sold 2,503 units.
  

The rise was attributed to brisk sales of its major car brands -- the Sportage SUV and the Morning city car.
  

Kia Motors sold a total of 996 units of the Sportage in Israel last month, the largest among the car models being sold in the country. This marked the first time that the Sportage emerged as the best-seller in Israel.
  

Kia Motors' sales of the Morning, locally known as the Picanto, also came to 866 units in April, the third-largest among locally sold models, the data showed.
  

The Morning, in particular, appeals to Israeli consumers with its relatively cheap price and convenience. In March, Kia Motors sold 1,408 units of the Morning, just two units shy of the Corolla of Toyota, the best-seller in the month. (Yonhap)