SUV models led Kia’s global sales, with the Sportage being sold 29,505 units, followed by the Seltos compact SUV and the Sorento midsize SUV.
Kia recorded 51,011 units of sales in Korea, little changed from 51,008 units in March 2020. The Carnival minivan topped sales in Kia’s home market with 9,520 units sold, followed by the Sorento SUV with 8,357 units.
Sales outside of Korea
Sales outside of Korea saw an 11 percent rise from a year earlier to 200,351 units, steered by the Sportage and Seltos SUVs as well as the Rio subcompact sedan. Although the global economy is suffering slowdown from Covid-19, key auto markets are seeing a recovery in customer demand. Steady sales in India buoyed by Seltos and Sonet SUV models, helped contribute to the global results.
Kia Motors India's sales are estimated to be 19,100 units in March 2021, which makes it the best month in FY2021 and accounts for 7.6% of Kia's global sales in March.
Despite the tough business environment, Kia says it will continue to focus on implementing its mid- to long-term business strategy ‘Plan S’, as well as building sales momentum and profitability through new models, including the brand new K8 sedan and the recently premiered Kia EV6 electric vehicle.
In Korea, more than 21,000 potential customers lodged online reservation for EV6 on the first day the dedicated website opened. The EV6 will go on sale in select global markets from the second half of this year.