News Article
Record sales of hybrid and electric cars for Kia Motors Europe in challenging Q1
Kia Motors has seen record European sales for new hybrid and electric vehicles in the first quarter of 2020, despite a decline in total vehicle sales as a result of disruption caused by the spread of coronavirus.
Kia also captured its highest-ever share of the European market during the first quarter.
Despite a challenging start to the year, sales of new electrified Kia models – hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles – grew by 20.8%, to 21,340 units. Electrified models now account for almost a fifth of all new Kia sales in Europe (18.9% of all Kia Europe sales during the first quarter of 2020), up from 13.4% of Kia sales during the first three months of 2019.
In the UK during the first three months of 2020, Kia sold 3,347 hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles, making up 15% of the total electrified sales in Europe. This is an increase of 27% when compared to the first three months of 2019. Of the electrified vehicles sold in 2020, 22% were battery electric vehicles.
Emilio Herrera, Chief Operating Officer for Kia Motors Europe, commented: “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.”
In the first quarter of 2020, Kia’s battery electric vehicles, the e-Niro and e-Soul (badged Soul EV in the UK), accounted for 32% of all electrified vehicle sales, up from 22% in 2019. Plug-in hybrid models, including new Plug-in Hybrid variants of the XCeed and Ceed Sportswagon, also grew in popularity, and now account for 30% of all electrified Kia sales.
Despite a challenging start to the year, sales of new electrified Kia models – hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles – grew by 20.8%, to 21,340 units. Electrified models now account for almost a fifth of all new Kia sales in Europe (18.9% of all Kia Europe sales during the first quarter of 2020), up from 13.4% of Kia sales during the first three months of 2019.
In the UK during the first three months of 2020, Kia sold 3,347 hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles, making up 15% of the total electrified sales in Europe. This is an increase of 27% when compared to the first three months of 2019. Of the electrified vehicles sold in 2020, 22% were battery electric vehicles.
Emilio Herrera, Chief Operating Officer for Kia Motors Europe, commented: “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.”
In the first quarter of 2020, Kia’s battery electric vehicles, the e-Niro and e-Soul (badged Soul EV in the UK), accounted for 32% of all electrified vehicle sales, up from 22% in 2019. Plug-in hybrid models, including new Plug-in Hybrid variants of the XCeed and Ceed Sportswagon, also grew in popularity, and now account for 30% of all electrified Kia sales.
