Kia Posts Record Sales and Volume in Q2, with 60% Growth in Electrified Vehicles

Kia achieved its highest-ever sales and revenue figures in the second quarter of this year, despite overall weakness in the global automotive market. The company reported revenue of 33.37 trillion won and global wholesale sales volume of 851,639 units, both exceeding figures from the same period last year. Sales of electrified vehicles rose by 60%, accounting for 35.3% of total sales.

Kia’s Q2 revenue was 33.37 trillion won, with operating profit reaching 2.6285 trillion won. Global wholesale sales volume climbed to 851,639 units, a 4.5% increase from the prior year and marking the highest quarterly figure on record. Global retail sales volume also increased by 5.8% to 839,000 units. The company’s global market share rose from 3.7% in the same period last year to 4%, and it maintained a 4% share for the first half of the year as well.

The growth was driven primarily by increased sales of electrified vehicles. In Q2, EV and HEV sales totaled 296,000 units, a 60% increase from the previous year. EV sales specifically rose by 88.4% to 110,000 units, while HEV sales increased by 61% to 178,000 units. The proportion of total sales accounted for by electrified vehicles climbed from 23.4% to 35.3%, an increase of 11.9 percentage points.

Kia implemented region-specific electrification strategies. In South Korea, the company focused on EVs. Q2 EV sales in the domestic market reached 38,000 units, a 123.4% increase from the prior year. The share of EVs in total domestic sales also more than doubled, rising from 11.9% to 24.5%. The same pattern was observed in Europe. West European EV sales increased by 101.5% to 52,000 units, while total West European sales rose by 12.9% to 151,000 units, far outpacing the market growth rate of 4.8%.

In contrast, the U.S. market saw success with a HEV-focused strategy. Q2 HEV sales in the United States surged by 151.6% to 66,000 units. HEVs accounted for 29.6% of total U.S. sales.

The growth in South Korea and Europe was fueled by the impact of new vehicle launches. Kia expanded its popular electric vehicle lineup with models such as the EV2, EV4, and EV5, and introduced its first purpose-built vehicle (PBV), the PV5. In Europe, the company produces the EV2 and EV4 locally to enhance price competitiveness.

For the second half of the year, Kia plans to strengthen these region-specific strategies. In the U.S., it will increase production capacity for its flagship SUV, the Telluride, and begin delivering the Sportage HEV manufactured at Hyundai Motor Group’s MetaPlant America (HMGMA). The compact electric SUV, the EV3, produced in Mexico, is also set to enter the U.S. market. In South Korea, the company aims to set a new annual record for EV sales by expanding the distribution of the EV3, EV5, and PV5.