Kia Experiences Significant Sales Growth Across Most Segments, One Area Declines

Kia has reported its highest-ever sales for the first half of the year, maintaining this upward trend into July. In July alone, the manufacturer moved 71,123 vehicles, marking a 12% rise from July 2024.

By the end of July, Kia's cumulative sales reached 487,634 units, surpassing the first seven months of the previous year by 37,000 vehicles. Eric Watson, Vice President of Sales Operations at Kia America, stated that the company "is consistently advancing towards its record annual sales and achieving an unprecedented market share, driven by exceptional growth in consumer sales."

Top Performing Kia Models

The Sportage continues to lead as Kia's top seller, followed by the economical K4. In July, these models sold 14,392 and 11,188 units respectively. The Telluride secured the third spot with 10,411 sales, while the Sorento and Carnival completed the top five. All these models saw an increase in sales during July.

Monthly Sales Comparison

Other notable performers included the Soul with a 36% increase, the Carnival up by 31%, and the K5 rising by 25%. However, some models like the Seltos experienced a decline in sales.

Decline in Specific Kia Models

Sales of the compact crossover decreased from 5,481 units in 2024 to 4,917 in July, and the trend continues downward for the year. Despite this, there is potential for recovery before year-end. Kia has reduced the price of the compact crossover by $1,000 for the 2026 model year by introducing a new entry-level front-wheel-drive variant, aiming to attract more budget-conscious buyers.

Kia's electric vehicles also faced a downturn last month, with the EV9 and EV6 selling 1,737 and 1,290 units respectively, compared to 1,815 and 1,547 in July 2024. Year-to-date sales for these models have significantly dropped, with the EV6 sales decreasing from 12,488 units last year to 7,165 in 2025, and the EV9 diminishing from 11,486 units to 6,675. In response, Kia has adjusted the pricing for the EV9 for the 2026 lineup.

Looking Ahead for Kia

Kia aims to conclude the year on a high note, potentially achieving its best sales performance ever. Additionally, a new trade agreement between the United States and South Korea has reduced auto tariffs from 25% to 15%, aligning with rates for imported vehicles from Europe and Japan. This development is expected to influence the automotive industry's dynamics in the near future.