At the heart of Kia UK’s 2024 National Dealer Conference in Liverpool, a new chapter for the brand was announced, underpinned by a compelling business strategy for 2025: “Take the Lead.” With more than 1,000 dealer staff in attendance, the event set the tone for Kia’s trajectory in the coming years, reflecting the company’s past triumphs and its commitment to seizing the opportunities that lie ahead—particularly in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle (EV) market.
Strengthening Partnerships with Dealers
Kia’s remarkable success in the UK is built on a foundation of exceptional dealer partnerships that provide consistently high-quality service to customers. This year, the brand celebrated record sales, driven not only by its pioneering cars but also by a dealer network that continues to outperform industry standards.
Kia’s dealerships have garnered impressive customer satisfaction scores, with a national rating of 759 on Reputation.com—outperforming the industry average by more than 100 points. The brand’s excellence has been consistently recognized, as evidenced by Kia’s position as the number one franchise in the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) Dealer Attitude Survey (DAS) for the past four years.
Kia Dealer Excellence Awards 2024: Celebrating Excellence
The 2024 Dealer Excellence Awards highlighted the top-performing dealerships across Kia’s extensive 190-strong network in the UK. The awards celebrate achievements in multiple categories, recognising dealers for their dedication to sales, after-sales service, customer experience, and, notably, their commitment to the EV transition.
Dealer of the Year: Mantles (Royston)
Mantles (Royston) triumphed as the 2024 ‘Dealer of the Year,’ achieving a near-clean sweep by winning three out of four major categories: ‘Sales Excellence,’ ‘Customer Experience,’ and the newly introduced ‘EV Excellence’ Award. This marks a significant achievement for Mantles, which had previously been a runner-up in the 2023 Dealer Excellence Awards, just behind three-time winner Gravells (Bridgend). Mantles’ performance exemplifies their exceptional service standards and unwavering commitment to Kia’s values.
Highly Commended Dealers
Second and third places were awarded to EMG (Cambridge) and EMG (Thetford), respectively. Both dealerships showcased remarkable versatility across several categories, each earning multiple ‘Highly Commended’ certificates in ‘Sales Excellence,’ ‘After Sales Excellence,’ and ‘EV Excellence.’ Their consistent performance highlights their integral role in Kia’s success.
New EV Excellence Award
A key highlight of the 2024 awards was the introduction of the ‘EV Excellence Award,’ reflecting the growing importance of electric vehicles in the UK market. Kia’s strategic shift toward electrification is embodied in this new category, and the award’s debut aligns with the brand’s mission to lead the charge in the EV revolution. Mantles (Royston) took home the first-ever EV Excellence Award, reinforcing its role as a leader in the transition to sustainable mobility.
Other Notable Winners
In addition to the Dealer of the Year title, Kia’s other awards included:
- Sales Excellence Award: Mantles (Royston) claimed first place, continuing their remarkable performance across multiple domains.
- After Sales Excellence Award: Gravells (Hereford) took home the top honour, having previously won the 2023 ‘Customer Experience Award.’
- Customer Experience Award: Mantles (Royston) was once again recognised for providing a top-tier customer experience.
The awards ceremony also saw several dealerships earn ‘Highly Commended’ certificates, a testament to the depth of talent and dedication throughout Kia’s UK network.
Record-Breaking Sales and a Bright Future
2024 has been a record-breaking year for Kia, with a total of 112,252 new cars sold in the UK, half of which were electrified models (EV, HEV, PHEV). Kia’s commitment to electrification is evident, with the Sportage continuing to be a top-seller and the all-new EV3 marking the brand’s continued expansion into the fully electric vehicle segment. The EV3 boasts an impressive range of up to 375 miles per charge, while the EV6 and other models have also received significant updates.
As Kia looks ahead to 2025, the brand’s product portfolio will expand further with the launch of the EV6 GT, EV4, and EV5, along with the brand’s re-entry into the light commercial vehicle market with the fully electric PV5 van. With a strong commitment to sustainable growth and innovative vehicles, Kia is poised to remain a key player in the UK automotive market.
Looking Ahead: “Take the Lead”
Paul Philpott, President and CEO of Kia UK, encapsulated the brand’s excitement for the future: “As we look forward to 2025, we’re confident that we will continue to lead with innovation, supported by our dealer partners. With half of our sales now electrified, and more exciting launches on the horizon, Kia is ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the coming years.”
In an era defined by the transition to electric mobility, Kia’s commitment to innovation, customer service, and strong dealer relationships positions the brand to take the lead in the years ahead. With a clear vision, the unwavering support of its dealer network, and a growing portfolio of cutting-edge vehicles, Kia is ready to continue its success story in the UK and beyond.
