Kia posted record September and quarterly sales, with eight models delivering double-digit growth and hybrid demand surging, even as two of its fully electric models recorded significant year-over-year declines.
Kia Sets September and Quarterly Sales Records
Kia reported 77,009 sales in September, an 18% increase from the same month last year and the brand’s best September ever. Its quarterly sales reached 236,659, up 8% and another record for the Korean automaker.
The Kia Seltos recorded one of the month’s biggest gains, with sales climbing 66% to 7,682 units. The latest update gave the Seltos big-vehicle rugged styling, while the Niro posted a 47% increase to 3,592 sales despite the EV and PHEV being dropped from the lineup.
Sportage Leads Kia’s Sales
Kia’s smaller models also delivered gains. Sportage sales increased 10%, while the K5 sedan climbed 15%.
Larger models posted even stronger growth. Sorento sales rose 47%, Telluride sales increased 42%, and Carnival sales climbed 21%.
The Sportage remained Kia’s best-selling model, with 16,033 units sold last month. The K4 ranked second with 12,658 sales, followed closely by the Telluride at 11,927 units.
Hybrid Sales Surge
Hybrid models were a major part of Kia’s September performance. Sorento hybrid sales increased 112% from a year earlier, while Sportage hybrid sales climbed 53% and Carnival hybrid sales rose 47%.
Overall, Kia said hybrid sales increased 152% year over year. Electrified models, including EVs and PHEVs, were up 60%.
EV9 and EV6 Sales Decline
Not every Kia model matched the broader sales growth. The fully electric models recorded declines compared with last year, when sales were boosted by strong demand ahead of the end of the federal EV incentive.
EV9 sales fell from 3,094 units last September to 1,955 this year. EV6 sales dropped from 2,116 to 835.
The EV9’s September figures are affected by the timing of last year’s federal incentive. September was the final month to purchase a new EV with the $7,500 tax credit, prompting buyers to move quickly before the incentive ended.
EV9 Remains Nearly Even for the Year
For the full year so far, the EV9 has continued to post strong sales compared with last year’s incentive-supported period. Kia has sold 12,429 EV9s, just 19 more than during the same period last year with the government’s help.
“With a record-breaking September and best-ever quarterly sales, Kia continues to demonstrate the strength of its brand, product portfolio and retail network,” said Eric Watson, vice president, sales operations, Kia America.
“These monumental sales achievements can be attributed to Kia’s wide range of models and powertrains, which offer vehicles for every driver at every stage of life.”
