Kia sets electric sales record
Kia Motors has reported record European sales for new hybrid and electric vehicles in the first quarter of 2020. This comes despite disruption caused by the spread of coronavirus and a decline in total vehicle sales.
Kia also captured its highest ever share of the European market during the first quarter.
Kia’s total European sales declined 14.5% to 113,026 units in the first quarter of 2020, compared to the overall 26.3% decline of total new car sales. As a result, its market share has grown from 3.2% in the first quarter of 2019 to 3.7%.
Meanwhile, sales of new electrified Kia models grew by 20.8% to 21,340 units. Electrified models now account for almost a fifth of all new Kia sales in Europe.
Emilio Herrera, chief operating officer for Kia Motors Europe, said: “The first three months of 2020 have been challenging for the whole industry due to social distancing and lockdown measures adopted across many European markets. However, we have seen growing sales for Kia’s range of hybrid and electric cars – every electrified model line we sell in Europe has seen sales growth this quarter. The arrival of new plug-in hybrid models, improved availability of EVs, and an expanded Ceed model family has also boosted our sales and market share this quarter.”
