You might not have noticed too many 09 reg. cars on the roads in the first few months of this year, but one new model that has made an impact is the distinctive Kia Soul.

The crossover model, which has been dubbed a hatchbox, has been one of the few new car success stories in a depressed European market and has helped Kia in Ireland increase its market share from 2.19% to 2.86% based on March registrations. All in all, Kia has shifted some 5,000 Souls in Europe since the model’s January launch, a figure that is some 13% higher than expected.

The unique design of the model appears to be appealing to a whole new spectrum of potential Kia buyers, while the car has also won critical acclaim. In America, Ward’s AutoWorld gave the Soul its ‘Grooviest Interior’ award while in Germany the Soul has picked up several design awards and has also been named Fast Car Magazines best new model for 2009 in the UK.

Commenting on the success, Kia Motors Europe General Marketing Manager, Panu Vainamo said, “Soul is a bold statement of Kia’s determination to succeed as one of the world’s top automotive companies. It appeals especially to the young and the young-at-heart and order books for 2009 are looking very strong. Soul is a car that challenges consumers to rethink everything they know about us. Kia products have ‘stand-out’ design qualities and an emotional appeal to consumers.”