Kia posted 18,766 units in the month of May 2023 as against 18,718 units during the same period last year with a YoY growth of 0.3 per cent
Kia India garnered a cumulative domestic tally of 18,766 units in the month of May 2023 as against 18,718 units during the same period last year with a YoY positive sales increase of just 0.3 per cent. The South Korean auto major finished sixth in the overall manufacturers’ volume table as it was beaten by Toyota Kirloskar Motor for its usual fifth place.
In April 2023, the brand recorded 23,216 unit sales and in comparison, a huge MoM decline of 19.2 per cent was noted. A total market share of 5.6 per cent was registered as against 6.4 per cent with a drop of 0.8 per cent on a YoY basis. Looking at the individual sales numbers, it was easy to how the numbers had declined.
The Seltos posted a massive YoY volume negative growth of 32 per cent. The midsize SUV regularly finishes at the top spot in the monthly sales charts as it is the brand’s best-selling model and the second top seller in its segment. However, last month, a total of 4,065 units were recorded against 5,953 units in May 2022 resulting in that huge de-growth.
| Kia Models (YoY) | May 2023 Sales | May 2022 Sales |
| 1. Kia Sonet (4%) | 8,251 | 7,899 |
| 2. Kia Carens (38%) | 6,367 | 4,612 |
| 3. Kia Seltos (-32%) | 4,065 | 5,953 |
| 4. Kia EV6 (453%) | 83 | 15 |
This could be mainly due to the arrival of the heavily updated model in the coming months and reports suggest that it will be launched around July or August. The mid-cycle revisions will bring in a refreshed front fascia, an updated rear end, newly designed alloy wheels and an updated cabin with the presence of new features including ADAS technology.
Kia is also developing a facelifted version of the Seltos for the global markets and it could debut by the end of this calendar year. The chances of it reaching India in early 2024 are high. Last month, the Sonet posted 8,251 unit sales as against 7,899 units during the same period in 2022 with a YoY positive volume growth of 4 per cent.
The Kia Carens recorded a total of 6,367 units as against 4,612 units in May 2022 with a YoY growth of 38 per cent. The flagship Ioniq 5 electric vehicle sat fourth with a total of 83 units against 15 units with a YoY surge of 453 per cent.