Strong macro tailwinds and a refreshed SUV portfolio set the stage for sustained expansion over the next two years.
10 Dec 2025 | 4341 Views | By Ketan Thakkar
Kia India expects to close CY2025 with double-digit growth, and it is preparing for another year of robust expansion in 2026, led primarily by the all-new Seltos, its most strategically important model for volume recovery and portfolio strengthening.
"This year, we will be closing at more than 10 percent ...
This is an Autocar Pro Plus article. Subscribe to continue reading.
Kia India expects to close CY2025 with double-digit growth, and it is preparing for another year of robust expansion in 2026, led primarily by the all-new Seltos, its most strategically important model for volume recovery and portfolio strengthening.
"This year, we will be closing at more than 10 percent growth. We aim to continue this double-digit growth in 2026 as well," said Atul Sood, Senior Vice President – Sales and Marketing, Kia India.
Kia's 10.8 percent growth between January and November 2025 already outstrips the industry's 4 percent, claimed Sood. Strong festive demand, improved financing conditions and better rural sentiment have supported momentum, he added.
This progress comes despite the muted performance of its last major product, the Syros. Still, the company assures it is keeping its ear to the ground, taking feedback from dealers and consumers to shape product offerings that align more closely with the needs of Indian buyers.
Macro Tailwinds Supporting Demand
Sood pointed to several favourable macro indicators that bolster the company's confidence in sustaining growth into 2026. GDP has strengthened by 50 basis points, the repo rate has softened by 25 bps, improving retail finance access, and rabi sowing acreage has increased, supporting rural consumption. This, in turn, has helped spur demand in the sub-4 metre SUV category.
These economic and behavioural trends are expected to keep the passenger vehicle market buoyant despite rising competition.
New Seltos: Kia's Volume Engine Through 2026
With a longer body, increased cabin space, an upgraded technology suite, and the new global K3 platform, the new Seltos is expected to drive higher conquest volumes, strong replacement demand from 2019–20 Seltos owners, and wider segment consideration, including buyers upgrading from compact SUVs.
The model's strategic weight is amplified by the surge in demand for mid-size SUVs and the ongoing premiumisation of India's SUV market.
Broader Portfolio Reset Underway
While the Seltos leads Kia's volume ambitions, the company is also reassessing the Syros, including the viability of a lower-price variant, accelerating its multi-powertrain roadmap for CAFE compliance, and preparing new models for 2026 to generate market excitement.
With supportive macro fundamentals and a refreshed SUV portfolio anchored by the new Seltos, Kia is hoping to sustain two consecutive years of double-digit growth, even as competitive intensity rises.