Kia’s relentless sales success in the UK shows no signs of slowing down, with September and Q3 2024 setting new records and further cementing the brand’s dominance in the market. Kia’s impressive run of achievements began early in the year and continued through February, April, June, July, and August—now culminating in another milestone month in September. The brand’s diverse lineup of vehicles, particularly its eco-friendly models and popular SUVs, continues to resonate strongly with UK consumers.
Kia’s Market Leadership and Impressive Eco Range
Kia emerged as the second best-selling brand in the UK for September 2024, securing a market share of 6.4% with 17,535 cars sold—roughly half of its home market’s performance in Korea, where it sold 38,140 units. This impressive result follows a series of record-breaking months and contributes to Kia’s strong overall sales in 2024. Year-to-date (YTD), Kia’s UK sales total 92,420 units, giving it a 6.1% market share and solidifying its position as the fourth best-selling brand in the country.
A significant driver of Kia’s success has been its strong eco car lineup. One in every two Kia vehicles sold is either fully electric, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), or a hybrid (HEV), outperforming the UK market average of 40% for eco models. Kia’s EVs, particularly the new EV3, have been instrumental in this growth. Priced from £32,995, the EV3 can travel up to 372 miles per charge with the larger 81.4kWh battery option, making it an appealing choice for eco-conscious consumers. With four fully electric models now available—EV3, EV6, EV9, and Niro EV—Kia’s range is not only extensive but also well-positioned to meet the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate.
To further engage with consumers, Kia has launched a series of exclusive dealer events, including the EV3 Electric Experience, designed to introduce the latest fully electric models to customers. These events have already sparked significant interest, with over 700 orders for the EV3 during the ongoing national roadshow.
SUV Dominance with the Sportage Leading the Charge
Kia’s dominance in the SUV segment has been a key factor in its success. The brand’s compact SUV lineup, comprising the Sportage, Niro, and XCeed, has accounted for 60,399 of this year’s total UK sales, representing a 13.6% segment market share. The Sportage, in particular, has been a standout performer. In September, it was the UK’s most popular model across all brands, with 7,482 units sold. Year-to-date, the Sportage is the second best-selling vehicle in the country, with 37,582 units delivered to customers. This strong performance underscores the continued appeal of Kia’s SUVs, which combine versatility, design, and advanced technology.
Success Across the Model Range
Kia’s success extends beyond its eco models and SUVs. The brand’s portfolio spans nearly every segment, from compact city cars to large family SUVs. The Kia Picanto, for example, remains a top performer in the city car segment, achieving a market share of 21.2% YTD with 9,076 units sold. It was also the second most popular city car for retail-only sales in September.
At the larger end of the spectrum, the fully electric seven-seater EV9, recently crowned the 2024 World Car of the Year, continues to receive praise for its innovative design and family-friendly features. Similarly, the Sorento SUV has maintained its popularity despite intense competition, offering customers a blend of luxury, performance, and advanced hybrid options.
A Bright Future Ahead
Paul Philpott, President and CEO of Kia UK Ltd., praised the brand’s latest achievements: “This latest set of record sales achievements is a great representation of how well the Kia UK business is performing as a whole. It highlights the strong demand for all of our product lineup, across all powertrains, including our award-winning range of EVs.” He also noted the essential role played by Kia’s dealer partners, who have provided excellent customer service throughout the sales journey.
Looking ahead to the fourth quarter of 2024, Kia remains optimistic about continuing its momentum. Deliveries of the enhanced EV6 have already begun, and the highly anticipated EV3 has gained over 700 orders during its national roadshow. With customer interest growing and a robust model range to offer, the brand is poised for a strong finish to the year.
Latest Customer Offers
In October, Kia launched its Q4 customer offers, including 3.9% APR finance deals across its range of fully electric models—EV3, EV6, EV9, and Niro EV. For customers considering hybrid options, Kia is offering 5.9% APR on select deals for the Stonic, XCeed, and Niro HEV. Additionally, the Sportage and other Kia models are available with 7.9% APR finance offers, all of which can be arranged with no minimum customer deposit. Full details of these offers can be found in Kia’s latest press release.
As Kia continues its upward trajectory in the UK market, its diverse, eco-friendly lineup, coupled with strong customer offers and dealer support, ensures that it remains a key player in the automotive industry.
