In a sensational feat, Kia marked its most successful year in sales ever in Europe in 2023, achieving an impressive milestone of 572,297 units sold. Newly released data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) revealed a 5.4% surge in sales compared to the previous year, while Kia maintained a robust market share of 4.5%.
Electrified Vehicles Propel Kia to New Heights
A significant contributor to this success was the soaring demand for Kia’s electrified vehicles, encompassing hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery-electric vehicles. These models accounted for 217,145 units, a remarkable 9% increase from the previous year and constituting 37.9% of total sales in 2023. Anticipation is high for the ongoing rollout of the Kia EV9, which is expected to drive these numbers even higher.
Kia Sportage Leads the Pack
The Kia Sportage emerged as the top-selling model line across Europe, boasting a total of 165,354 registrations. Following closely were the Ceed family with 87,246 units sold and the Niro securing the third position with 73,582 units sold.
Record-Breaking Pure EV Sales
Pure electric vehicle (EV) sales experienced an impressive uptick of 22.7%, totaling 80,999 units for the year. The all-new Kia Niro EV led the pack with 40,074 units, closely followed by the multi-award-winning Kia EV6 with 36,195 units. Despite a late entry into the market, the Kia EV9 garnered 2,843 units in sales, while the e-Soul achieved 1,887 units.
Kia Slovakia’s Production Surges
The European factory in Zilina, Slovakia, experienced a record-breaking year with over 350,000 vehicles produced in 2023, reflecting a notable 12% increase compared to 2022. The majority of the vehicles produced were the fifth generation of the Sportage model, accounting for up to 60% of the total, while the remaining 40% comprised various body versions of the Ceed model.
Kia Charge Revolutionizes EV Charging
Kia’s commitment to electric mobility was further emphasized through Kia Charge, which achieved over 95,000 registrations by the end of 2023, marking a remarkable 54% increase from the previous year. The charging point network also expanded by 63%, totaling more than 643,000, with IONITY, Kia’s partner and operator, boasting about 600 charging parks and over 3,300 High Power Charging (HPC) points in 24 European countries.
European Success Fuels Global Sales Record
Europe significantly contributed to Kia’s global sales record in 2023, as the manufacturer closed the year with a total of 3.1 million units sold worldwide. Kia Europe’s contribution accounted for 18.5%, showcasing the brand’s robust presence in the European market. Globally, there was a 6.3% increase in sales compared to the previous year, setting the stage for Kia’s ambitious target of 3.2 million units in global sales for 2024.
Strategic Growth Plans for 2024
Looking ahead, Kia aims to enhance customer value and profitability, solidifying its leadership position in the global EV market. The company plans to introduce new EV models, improve connectivity technology, and advance its PBV business. Through these initiatives, Kia anticipates continued growth, aspiring to become a sustainable mobility solutions provider.
