In only 59 months, Kia India has sold 10 lakh vehicles domestically and set a new record

Kia India proudly announced today that it has reached a significant milestone, becoming the fastest car manufacturer in India to achieve 1 million (10 lakh) domestic sales. This impressive accomplishment was achieved within just 59 months of the company’s entry into the Indian market, reflecting the brand’s rapid growth and widespread consumer acceptance.

Kia’s entry into the Indian automotive market began in 2019, and the company quickly made a name for itself with its advanced technology and innovative designs. The Kia Seltos, in particular, has played a key role in this success, accounting for more than 48% of the company’s total domestic sales. Following closely are the Sonet and Carens models, which have contributed 34% and 16% of the sales, respectively.

One of the key strategies behind Kia’s success in India has been its focus on offering premium variants, with 42% of its sales coming from these top-tier trims. This success story challenges the traditional belief that the Indian automotive market is primarily driven by price sensitivity, highlighting a growing demand for high-quality, feature-rich vehicles.

Kia has also been instrumental in promoting the adoption of automatic and advanced transmission technologies in India. The brand offers three types of automatic transmissions—IVT, 6AT, and 7DCT—which together make up 32% of the total sales. Additionally, the introduction of the Intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT) with the Sonet in 2020 has been a significant innovation, contributing 15% to domestic dispatches. The current sales ratio between petrol and diesel vehicles stands at 59% to 41%.

Kia India’s annual sales figures reflect the brand’s strong growth trajectory. Starting with 45,226 units sold in 2019, the company saw sales increase to 140,505 units in 2020, 181,583 units in 2021, and 254,556 units in 2022. Last year, Kia reached a new peak with sales of 255,000 units. So far in 2024, Kia has sold nearly 1.5 lakh units in the first seven months, indicating strong momentum as the festive season approaches. The brand’s presence in India is supported by an extensive network of 588 touchpoints across 256 cities.

India also serves as a key export hub for Kia Corporation, with Kia India having dispatched over 2.6 lakh units to more than 100 export markets. Including overseas dispatches, the company’s cumulative sales are approaching 1.3 million units.

Mr. Joonsu Cho, Chief Sales Officer of Kia India, expressed his gratitude to customers for their trust in the brand, stating, “Achieving 1 million domestic sales is a testament to our continued focus on the Indian market and the needs of Indian customers. We are committed to innovation and will soon launch our global flagships in India, followed by a new home-grown model.”

Kia’s innovative approach and dedication to delivering aspirational products and services position it as a key player in the growth of the Indian automotive industry.