Kia Achieves 15 Million Domestic Sales Record in 60 Years

The Best-Selling Model is 'Morning' with 1.21 Million Units Sold

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Kia has recorded sales of 15 million vehicles domestically in 60 years since the launch of its first vehicle in 1962.

According to the industry on the 28th, Kia's cumulative domestic vehicle sales reached 14,984,825 units as of last month, and it is known to have surpassed 15 million units around mid-this month.

Kia started with Korea's first three-wheeled vehicle, the K-360, in 1962, selling only commercial vehicles, and launched its first domestically produced passenger car, the Brisa, in 1974. From the 1980s, it began full-scale sales of passenger models such as the Pride.

In 1986, it achieved the first annual sales of 100,000 units in the domestic market, and in 1989, cumulative sales exceeded 1 million units. It reached 5 million units in 1999 and 10 million units in 2013. It has now reached the 15 million unit milestone in nine years.

Of the 15 million units sold in the domestic market over 60 years, approximately 6.8 million units (45%) were passenger cars, about 4.2 million units (28%) were recreational vehicles (RVs), and about 4 million units (27%) were commercial vehicles.

The best-selling passenger model domestically is the representative compact car Morning (about 1.21 million units). Following are the Carnival with about 1.13 million units, Sorento with about 1.03 million units, and Sportage, which is currently at 850,000 units, is expected to surpass 1 million units soon. Among Kia’s top five best-selling models domestically, three are RVs, showing the brand’s strong presence in the RV market.

Several models have also joined the '100,000 Club,' which refers to models selling over 100,000 units annually and considered hit products. The first-generation Pride, launched in 1987, set the highest annual sales record among Kia models (126,226 units in 1992) and exceeded 100,000 units consecutively from 1991 to 1993. The compact sedan Sephia, mid-size sedan Credos, and Morning also made it into the 100,000 Club.

A Kia official said, "With domestic delivery backlogs exceeding 600,000 units, sales are expected to increase next year. Having received much love from customers over the past 60 years, we will strive to realize customer satisfaction in all mobility experiences beyond just various products and cars that the times demand."

Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Company, part of the same group, surpassed 15 million units domestically first in 2011 and exceeded 20 million units in 2018.