Kia Motors' first-half operating profit soared 71 percent compared to the same period last year. Posting its second-quarter figures Tuesday,... Kia also said its Q2 earnings jumped 52 percent on-year. Net profit for the April-to-June period stood at 430-million U.S. dollars. A spokesperson for Korea's second-largest automaker attributed the figures to the relative weakness of the local currency and an uptick in sales of new models.