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Unless Kia decides to share some info with us, we'll have to wait for the 2010 Chicago Auto Show that runs for the public from February 12 to 21 to find out more about the company's latest concept model.

The global recession doesn't seem strong enough to stop Kia's momentum as the South Korean automaker announced today that global sales figures for passenger cars and commercial vehicles for November 2009 have recorded a total of 152,826 units sold. This represents an increase of 53.2 per cent over the same month a year ago.

Hyoung-Keun Lee, President Kia Motors Corporation, said: "November has proven to be another tremendously successful month for Kia. This month we saw growth across all markets and we will seek to continue to satisfy customers with our ongoing rollout of new, stylish and fuel efficient products, including the recently launched Cadenza."

Hyundai's sister company said that during the first eleven months of the year (from January through November), the firm's global sales increased by 17.0 per cent year-on-year to 1,489,204 units.

Kia's highest gains during the first eleven months of the year were in China as the company recorded a 65.2 per cent increase with 221,722 units sold to date.

In other markets, Kia saw a YTD sales increase of 26.8 per cent (366,229 units sold) in Korea, 14.7 per cent (275,105 units sold) in general markets and 9.5 per cent (322,488 units sold) in North America.

In 2009, the firm's best selling model in international markets has been the C-segment Forte, also known as Spectra or Cerato in certain markets, with 269,864 units sold.

The Forte is followed by the B-segment Rio and Sportage 4x4 with 159,385 and 157,312 units sold respectively, while the European only Cee'd comes in Forth with 114,498 units sold.

The Korean firm's range (depending on the market) will be enhanced with new models in 2010 including the recently revealed Cadenza mid-size sedan and the Venga mini MPV.

Thanks to a 24HCAR reader simply named SW, we now have a picture of what is probably Kia's entrée into the luxury sports sedan segment. Kia's chief designer Peter Schreyer reportedly unveiled this sketch of a car referred to as K9 at a design conference near Seoul last Friday.

Schreyer, best known for designing the original Audi TT when he was still at Audi, is said to have compared the car's design prowess to that of the Audi A8 and BMW 7 Series. Kia's plans do include a luxury sedan codenamed the CH, which is scheduled for launch around 2011 and is the sister car to Hyundai's Genesis sedan (codenamed BH). Contrary to Korean media reports that the K9 is in the same league as the Equus, speculation is that this sketch is actually the smaller CH.

Rumoured engines include a petrol V8 for markets like the US in addition to those already used by the Genesis. It could also sport an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

Hyundai's Times Square billboard in Manhattan will soon be joined by a new outdoor campaign from the Korean automaker's sister company, Kia. In preparation for the arrival of the all-new 2011 Sorento, Kia has announced that it has secured a 60 by 40 foot billboard showcasing its CUV / SUV at the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue in Times Square. The new advertisement will become visible when the famed ball drops on New Year's Eve.

"From tourists and theatergoers to the New Year's Eve ball drop, millions of people from all over the world will get their first glimpse of the all-new Sorento, the latest chapter in Kia's design-led brand transformation," said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, KMA.

"Kia Motors' U.S. marketshare is growing quickly, and establishing a presence in America's most iconic advertising venue is a natural fit for the first Kia vehicle to be built on U.S. soil."

The Korean automaker said that in addition to the Times Square campaign, the new Sorento is also the "Official Vehicle of the NBA" for the current basketball season.

Who could have imagined a few years back that Kia would eventually build cars looking as decent / good (depending on your aesthetic criteria) as the 2011 Cadenza? Sure many will note that the Cadenza borrows many styling cues from the German competition, but that's something that should be expected from Kia since its new design boss is none other than former VW / Audi designer Peter Schreyer.

In any case, Kia has created a mid-size sedan that seems capable of capturing the attention of your average mainstream buyer with its styling - and not deterring them like the outgoing Amanti which it will replace in the States.

If it will do well or not in the market, however, is another story which depends on a variety of factors including how well the car is built, how it drives and of course, what it will cost.

But for now, take a look at the two new promotional videos plus an action-packed South Korean commercial of the Cadenza and share your thoughts in the comment section after the break.

The all-new Kia Cadenza sedan was officially launched in Korea today where it will go on sale under the name K7. The 4,965 mm (195.5'') long Cadenza will take over the role of Kia's flagship sedan from the 10-year old Opirus, also called Amanti in some markets. Designed under the guidance of former Audi design chief Peter Schreyer, the Cadenza is the production version of the KND-5 concept model shown in Seoul earlier this year. And yes, we couldn't help but compare the Korean sedan's styling to the new BMW 5-Series that was introduced on Monday.

We've yet to see either car in the flesh, but judging from the photos, our first thought is that Schreyer and Kia have really pushed the envelope in the styling department. That, and BMW is playing it a bit too safe with its latest designs...

"Our new sedan looks masculine and luxurious," said Peter Schreyer. "Today, people recognize a Kia at first sight: well balanced proportions, flowing greenhouse and dynamic window graphic plus the big wheels, give this car its confident stance, dignity and elegant personality. The distinctive 'tiger nose' front with its signature grille and headlights are evidence of Kia's new self-confidence. Kia Cadenza is a big step into the future - another quantum leap for Kia," Schreyer concluded.

Inside, Kia's new sedan features an equally contemporary and clean design. Among the many features is a 'mood lighting strip' that runs across the two-tier dashboard and all around the door trims, keyless entry and an engine 'start' button, reversing sensors, a reversing safety camera with interior mirror display screen and a powered extension for the driver's seat cushion.

Even though the Cadenza is shorter than the Opirus, the extended wheelbase (up by 45 mm to 2,845 mm or 112''), additional exterior width and more compact rear suspension, are claimed to ensure more space for the passengers than the old model.

The Cadenza makes use of Korean firm's new front-wheel drive 'Type-N' platform that will be used in other future Kia models. The company claims that, despite the added features, the lighter yet stronger bodyshell, along with all-new suspension systems, helped the Cadenza to achieve a weight loss of up to 130 kg or 287 pounds, compared with the Opirus.

Kia said that the new Cadenza will be offered with a total of three gasoline engines ranging from 165HP to 295HP for the 3.5 liter V6, with all models featuring front-wheel drive and a new six-speed automatic transmission. The Hyundai - Kia Group's new 201HP 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with direct injection gasoline should be among the choices.

The 2011 Cadenza will make its overseas world premiere at next month's Riyadh Motor Show in Saudi Arabia on 12 December, followed immediately by an appearance at the Dubai Motor Show on 15 December.

According to the Korean automaker, the Cadenza is scheduled to go on sale in most international markets, including North America and Europe, in January 2010. The regions of Central and South America, the Caribbean, Asia (excluding China), the Pacific, Middle East and Africa will get the new Kia in March 2010, while sales in China will begin in June 2010.