Kia, one of the major car manufacturers, has achieved a significant milestone in India. The company has exported more than 250,000 vehicles from the country. The Seltos model accounts for approximately 59% of these exports. Kia’s factory is located in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, and the company’s sales have seen rapid growth in the country over the past few years.
Export Contributions by Models
In Kia’s export portfolio, the Sonet contributes 34%, and the Carens accounts for 7%. Last month, Kia’s sales in India increased by 3.9%, reaching nearly 19,500 units compared to 18,766 units in the same month last year. In May, the Sonet was Kia’s best-selling model. The company also sells the MPV Carnival and the electric vehicle EV6.
Official Statements and Future Plans
On exceeding the 250,000-unit export mark, Kia’s Chief Sales Officer in India, Myung-sik Sohn, said, “This achievement is a testament to our commitment to quality and innovation. The success of our made-in-India vehicles underscores our dedication to quality. Our focus remains on the domestic market, and we plan to maintain our export momentum this year.”
Sales Performance and Export Statistics
Last month, Kia sold 7,433 units of the Sonet, followed by 6,736 units of the Seltos, and 5,316 units of the Carens. In May, the company’s exports totaled 2,304 units. Kia exports vehicles to more than 100 countries. Recently, the company claimed to have sold over 980,000 units of passenger vehicles in India, with the Seltos accounting for about 50% of these sales. The Sonet has surpassed 400,000 units in sales in the country, including exports. Of these, 317,754 units were sold domestically, and 85,814 units were exported.
Updated Sonet and Customer Preferences
At the beginning of this year, Kia launched the updated Sonet. Among Sonet buyers, 63% opted for variants with a sunroof. Additionally, 63% chose the petrol engine variant, while approximately 37% preferred the 1.5-liter diesel engine variant.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
