Kia India has swiftly reached a significant milestone, selling 1 million units domestically in a mere 59 months, making it the fastest carmaker to do so in India. Entering the market in 2019, Kia has quickly transformed the Indian automotive industry with its innovative designs and advanced technology. The Seltos model has been a key driver of this success, contributing 48% to the total sales, followed by the Sonet and Carens. Kia’s focus on premium trims has also proven effective, with 42% of sales coming from these variants, challenging the perception that the Indian market is solely price-sensitive.
Kia India’s journey began in 2019, and since then, it has made a significant impact on the Indian automotive landscape. The Seltos has been pivotal, contributing to nearly half of the total domestic sales. The Sonet and Carens also played crucial roles, accounting for 34% and 16% of the sales, respectively.
Kia’s strategy of focusing on top-tier trims has been particularly successful, with 42% of sales coming from these premium variants. This success challenges the assumption that Indian consumers are primarily driven by price, revealing a growing demand for high-quality vehicles.
Moreover, Kia has played a key role in promoting the adoption of automatic and advanced transmission technologies in India. The three types of automatic transmissions—IVT, 6AT, and 7DCT—comprise 32% of total sales. The introduction of the Intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT) with the Sonet in 2020 has also significantly contributed, accounting for 15% of domestic dispatches. The current petrol-to-diesel sales ratio stands at 59% to 41%.
Kia India’s Impressive Annual Sales Growth
Kia India’s annual sales figures showcase its rapid growth: from 45,226 units in 2019 to 140,505 units in 2020, 181,583 units in 2021, and 254,556 units in 2022. The company reached a new peak last year with 255,000 units sold. In 2024, Kia has already sold nearly 1.5 lakh units in the first seven months, setting the stage for a strong performance leading up to the festive season. The brand’s presence across the country has expanded to 588 touchpoints in 256 cities.
Kia India also plays a significant role as an export hub for Kia Corporation. Over 2.6 lakh units have been shipped to more than 100 export markets, bringing cumulative sales, including overseas dispatches, to nearly 1.3 million units.
Kia India’s Future Plans
Joonsu Cho, Chief Sales Officer of Kia India, emphasized the company’s commitment to innovation and growth in India, acknowledging the challenges posed by the diverse and competitive market. He expressed gratitude to customers for their trust and hinted at exciting future launches, including global flagship models and a new home-grown model, positioning Kia as a major contributor to the growth of the Indian automotive industry.
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