For the first time since its entry into the European market in 1991, Kia Motors has achieved an annual sales of more than half a million vehicles in the region, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).
Likewise, the South Korean brand also posted 11 consecutive years of growth and best-ever 3.2 percent market share in 2019.
Kia’s total annual sales of 502,845 units in Europe last year represents a sales increase of 1.7 percent and an all-time-high market share of 3.2 percent across European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Area (EFTA) countries.
The good news for Kia extends locally as well, as the now-Ayala-led company market a 124 percent year-on-year sales growth for 2019.
“2019 marked an important year for Kia as we introduced our first new-generation electric vehicles and launched new derivatives and powertrains across some of our most popular model lines,” said Emilio Herrera, Chief Operating Officer for Kia Motors Europe. “As an early mover in the industry’s shift to electrification, Kia is capitalizing on consumers’ desire to reduce the environmental impact and running costs associated with driving.”
The creator of the Tiger Nose signature design theme attributes its growth in sales to the mounting interest in their efforts to expand their range hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as sales success from the recent introduction of new and renewed models, such as the Ceed, XCeed and Stonic.
More specifically, sales of the brand’s hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully-electric cars increased from 58,029 to 66,386 units in 2019, amounting to a 14.4 percent year-on-year increase.
2019 also marked the year that the Ceed model family became Kia’s bestselling product across the EU and EFTA, with sales totaling 110,201 units – a year-on-year upturn of 46 percent. The brand’s previous best-seller, the Kia Sportage, was a close second, recording strong sales of 109,838 units throughout the year.
Nevertheless, the Niro range, which includes hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully-electric variants, remained the brand’s bestselling electrified model line, with sales accumulating 57,519 units—a 27.1 percent growth increase compared to 2018. The Niro Hybrid accounted for 37,475 units (+8.2 percent), with additional growth from the Niro Plug-in Hybrid (10,144 units, +1.9 percent) and the new fully-electric e-Niro (9,900 units).
As Kia continues to push for electrification, expect some if not all of these models to drop by our country sometime in the future. It’s a safe bet to make, especially with Ayala Group now in charge of the brand.
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