Kia reaches 400,000 European sales for the first time
KIA MOTORS today reached a new sales landmark, surpassing 400,000 annual vehicle registrations in Europe for the first time – bettering the previous record of 384,790 units, set in 2015, with over a month to spare.
As a result of 2016 sales growth, Kia’s European market share now stands at 2.9% yearto-date, compared with 2.8% during the same period in 2015. Kia is on course to achieve 3.0% European market share by the end of 2016. A number of key additions to Kia’s vehicle portfolio, including entries into new vehicle segments, have supported the brand’s recent growth, furthering the company’s reputation as a maker of desirable and high quality vehicles.
Michael Cole, Chief Operating Officer of Kia Motors Europe, commented: “The Kia design and engineering teams have diversified the Kia range with new products that break new ground for the brand, as well as offering something fresh and appealing in their respective segments. These additions have been extremely popular with European customers and have undoubtedly helped us achieve organic sales success in 2016.”
The Niro hybrid crossover has proved to be a big hit with European car buyers since sales began in July 2016, with more than 23,000 orders for the new car since it went on sale earlier in the summer. Sales of the new Sportage continue to grow, with a 35% year-on-year increase when compared with 2015. European sales of the Sportage have also already exceeded those of the model’s record full-year in 2015, in which more than 105,317 units were registered across Europe.
The Kia Optima range was expanded this summer with the new Sportswagon, Plug-in Hybrid and high-performance GT variants. The new models have contributed to a 214% year-onyear sales increase, when compared to Optima sales in the same period in 2015. Currently, the new Sportswagon accounts for almost twothirds (65%) of the Optima’s European sales. The new additions to the Optima range are increasing Kia’s popularity in the D-segment, particularly among corporate buyers.