Kia America achieved historic sales performance in the first half of 2025, selling 416,511 vehicles – an 8% year-over-year increase and the brand’s highest-ever H1 result.
Key Highlights:
🔹 Retail deliveries surged 12%, with car sales growth (29%) dramatically outpacing SUVs (9%).
🔹 Hybrid sales skyrocketed 70% YoY, though EVs declined (EV9: -49%, EV6: -46%).
Top-Performing Models (Jan-Jun 2025):
| Model | Sales | YoG Growth | Segment Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sportage | 87,172 | +9% | #1 |
| K4 / Forte | 75,535 | +7% | #2 |
| Telluride | 61,502 | +15% | #3 |
| K5 | 34,565 | +170% | #4 |
| Carnival | 33,152 | +57% | #5 |
Strategic Insights:
✅ Sedan Renaissance:
- K4 and K5 ranked among America’s Top 5 bestsellers
- Kia’s 29% car sales growth mirrors Toyota/Honda’s commitment to sedans
⚠️ EV Challenge:
- EV9 sales fell to ~18,500 units (est.) despite 2024’s strong debut
- Industry-wide EV demand slowdown impacts Korean OEMs
Market Context:
Kia’s car-centric strategy defies the SUV-dominated U.S. market, while hybrid momentum aligns with consumer preference for “bridge technology” amid charging infrastructure gaps. The brand now holds 5.8% market share – up 0.4 pts YoY.
Data reflects Kia America’s June 2025 sales release. Forte sales consolidated under K4 following model transition.