Kia Sets Record for Highest Sales Last Month in India... Driven by Carens

22,622 Units Sold Last Month
Highest Since November 2020
Carens Sold 7,008 Units Last Month

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] Kia recorded its highest monthly sales since entering the Indian market in 2019 last month. The multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) Carens led the sales.

According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) on the 6th, Kia sold 22,622 units in India last month, an 18.4% increase compared to the same period last year. Its market share stands at 6.5%.

This is the highest monthly sales record. Previously, the highest was 21,022 units recorded in November 2020. Kia entered the Indian market in August 2019.

The model driving the highest sales was the Carens. Sales of the Carens, which started in January, have rapidly increased with 575 units in January, 5,109 units in February, and 7,008 units in March. Thanks to its popularity, Carens jumped to 3rd place in the MPV market.

In the Indian MPV market, as of last year, Maruti's Ertiga, the number one company in India, holds an overwhelming 46% market share. Toyota's Innova and Maruti's XL6 have established the 2nd and 3rd positions. However, with Carens rising, the market landscape is changing. Last month, Innova led MPV sales with 7,917 units, followed by Ertiga (7,888 units) and Carens.

The previously leading sport utility vehicle (SUV) models, Seltos and Sonet, saw a slowdown in sales. Seltos sold 11,483 units in January, 6,575 units in February, and 8,415 units in March. Sonet sold 6,904 units, 6,154 units, and 6,871 units during the same period.

Kia is expected to strengthen its market strategy by introducing new models in the Indian market this year. Foreign and local media reported that Kia will launch the dedicated electric vehicle EV6 in India as early as June or as late as October.

Hyundai sold 44,600 units last month, recording a market share of 14.3%. In January, it sold 44,022 units, and in February, 44,050 units. The best-selling vehicle last month was the SUV Creta with 10,532 units sold. It was followed by the SUV Venue with 9,220 units and the hatchback model Grand i10 Nios with 9,687 units. Creta and Grand i10 Nios ranked 7th and 9th among India’s best-selling cars, respectively.

Meanwhile, Hyundai and Kia ranked 2nd and 5th respectively in monthly sales rankings by brand. Maruti was 1st with 133,861 units, Tata was 3rd with 42,295 units, and M&M was 4th with 27,386 units.