Kia has announced that its global vehicle sales in September saw a year-over-year increase of 4.8 percent, reaching a total of 261,322 units. This positive trend in sales continued throughout the first nine months of 2023, with the South Korean brand selling 2,354,072 vehicles, representing an 8.4 percent increase compared to the previous year.
Of particular interest is the significant increase in wholesale shipments of Kia’s E-GMP-based models, which are all-electric cars. In September, these shipments reached 10,322 units, marking a 69 percent increase compared to the same month last year. What stands out even more is that the wholesale shipments of the Kia EV9 surpassed those of the Kia EV6. The EV9 saw 6,015 units shipped, while the EV6 only recorded 4,307 units, representing a decline of 29 percent year-over-year and the lowest result since the start of volume production in August 2021.
This shift in shipment volumes suggests that Kia may have redirected its resources from the EV6 to focus more on the EV9. Furthermore, the majority of the EV9 units were intended for export, indicating that we can expect increased deliveries in the United States and Europe in the near future.
Looking at the overall wholesale shipments of E-GMP-based electric cars this year, Kia has exceeded 86,000 units, indicating a 41 percent increase compared to the previous year. The EV6 accounts for 75,392 units, reflecting a 23 percent increase, while the EV9 has contributed 11,332 units. These numbers demonstrate the growing popularity of Kia’s electric offerings.
In terms of retail sales outside of South Korea, Kia reported 12,941 units for all-electric cars in September, representing a 29 percent year-over-year increase. When combined with the wholesale shipments in South Korea, the total estimated volume for the month reached at least 14,705 units, accounting for 5.6 percent of the total volume.
Overall, Kia’s sales of BEVs (battery electric vehicles) for this year have surpassed 115,000 units, showcasing a 9 percent increase compared to the previous year. While Kia does not provide specific numbers for PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles), the company’s focus on electric vehicles is evident through its consistent growth in sales.
Sources:
– Kia Sales Report: September 2023
– Kia Worldwide Press Releases
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