[THE INVESTOR] Korea’s No. 2 automaker Kia Motors said on March 19 that cumulative sales of its Sportage SUV have exceeded the 5 million mark as the model marks its 25th anniversary this year.

Accumulated global shipments of the Sportage, which hit the market in July 1993, stood at 5,003,537 units as of the end of February this year, according to Kia.

Domestic sales came to 684,186 units with exports and those produced at the company’s overseas plants accounting for the remainder.

The Sportage marks Kia’s second marque whose cumulative sales have surpassed the 5 million milestone. Kia‘s Pride subcompact car achieved the feat in 2015, with its cumulative global shipments reaching 6.02 million units at the end of February.

Three models produced by its larger affiliate Hyundai Motor -- the Sonta sedan, the Avante subcompact and the Tuscon SUV -- have already posted cumulative sales of more than 5 million units.

Currently, Kia produces the Sportage at its domestic plants, as well as factories in China and Slovakia.

By Song Seung-hyun and newswires (ssh@heraldcorp.com)