Kia’s Sales Surge

Kia’s Winning Streak

Kia is on a roll, and the numbers back it up. While most automakers have ditched the monthly sales report tradition, Kia continues the trend alongside Hyundai, offering us a peek into their performance. For May, the numbers were more than just promising. Sales hit 269,148 units globally, marking a rise of 1.7% compared to last year. Outside of Korea, Kia revved up the pace, selling 223,817 vehicles, which is a 2.6% jump.

Their SUVs like the Sportage, Seltos, and Sorento are turning heads, selling 48,091, 26,017, and 21,889 units respectively. The Kia K5 sedan showed a jaw-dropping growth, soaring 256% in May alone. To bolster these stats, Kia launched the EV3 electric SUV, which snagged the World Car of the Year at the 2025 World Car Awards. Kia also introduced the EV4 electric sedan and the Tasman pickup.

Domestically, it wasn’t all roses as Kia faced a slight 2.4% dip in sales. However, the Sorento continued to charm in its homeland, with 7,734 units sold just this past May, followed closely by the Carnival MPV and Sportage.

Last year, Kia had a record-breaking experience in the U.S., pushing over 780,000 units, as revealed by Tork. That achievement marked the seventh year straight of retail sales growth thanks to enhanced quality, expanded models, and a revamped brand image. However, there were hiccups along the way; for instance, the flagship EV9 sold only 37 units in the U.S. this May—a dramatic 98.3% drop. Electric models like the EV6 are also struggling, seeing a 40.8% decrease in sales during the first five months, closely trailing the EV9’s 48.2% drop.

Boosts and Incentives

Eric Watson, who heads sales operations at Kia America, is hopeful for a turnaround. Why? Thanks to upcoming releases like the EV9’s 2026 Nightfall Edition and the GT-Line model featuring a two-tone roof. There’s also a buzz around Kia’s 4th of July specials, putting the 2025 Niro EV in the spotlight with a 0% APR for 72 months and a $7,500 cash incentive. On select trims, there’s a 1.9% APR for 60 months paired with a $500 bonus. These deals are expected to stimulate sales numbers.

Closing Notes

One can’t overlook the design transformation that has shaped Kia’s recent glory days, largely thanks to Peter Schreyer when he redefined Kia’s design language back in 2006. His sleek designs and the iconic “tiger nose” grilles have set Kia apart from the pack. Under Schreyer’s vision, Kia’s sales surged from 1.6 million to a staggering 3 million between 2009 and 2016, a testament to how the design renaissance attracted buyers globally.