Kia sold more SUVs in March 2024 than any other month in company history
Three Kia models – Forte, Sportage, Telluride – each sold over 10,000 units in March
First quarter EV sales up 88% compared to the previous year
Sorento SUV sales increase 28% year-over-year in March as refreshed 2024 model launches
IRVINE, Calif., April 1, 2024 – Kia America delivered its second-highest first quarter sales total in company history, capped by March sales of 69,472 units. Sales of electrified models in March grew 9% compared to the previous year. Specifically, EVs saw a significant increase of 151% over the previous year. Sales of the entire utility lineup increased by 9% compared to the previous year and accounted for 79% of total sales.
Three models – Forte, Sportage, Telluride – drove the overall sales, each delivering more than 10,000 units in March. In addition, the new Sorento recently launched and sales grew 28% in March compared to the previous year. Three models including Sportage (+17%), Carnival (+15%), and Forte (+13%) recorded their highest March sales performances ever.
“Our growth in SUVs and early impact of the all-new, all-electric three-row EV9 helped deliver Kia’s second-best first quarter sales result,” said Eric Watson, vice president, sales operations, Kia America. “With the recent global debut of the all-new K4 compact sedan at the New York International Auto Show and the refreshed Carnival and K5 models slated to arrive in dealer showrooms in the coming months, Kia will undoubtedly continue to capture the attention of the industry, media and consumers.”
In addition to the monthly sales performance, Kia America announced several initiatives, including:
Kia’s all electric three-row SUV – EV9 achieved a notable dual victory at the 2024 World Car Awards. Revealed during a live announcement at the World Car Awards ceremony at the New York International Auto Show, the EV9 secured esteemed titles for both World Car of the Year and World Electric Vehicle.
The global debut of the upcoming K4 compact sedan at the 2024 New York International Auto Show. As Kia’s fourth-generation compact sedan, the K4 is a powerhouse of standard, segment-above technology, delivering Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)[1], refinement, and class-leading rear head room and leg room[2]. An available turbocharged engine amps up the fun-to-drive quotient and standard multi-link rear suspension on the GT-Line (2.0 and 1.6 turbo) offers a responsive driving experience.
U.S. News & World Report named the Kia Telluride best 3-row midsize SUV in its “Best Cars for Families” award program for the fifth year in a row. Within each class, the award honors the cars, SUVs and minivans that offer the best combination of safety, reliability, space, convenience, and connectivity. The award methodology combines professional automotive reviews, safety and reliability ratings, seating and cargo volume and the availability of family-friendly features.
2024 Telluride also achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+) rating, while the 2024 Sportage earned the TOP SAFETY PICK (TSP) rating. According to the IIHS, the two SUVs were deemed as “offering the highest level of protection for both vehicle and occupants and vulnerable road users.”
2024 EV9 was also recognized as winner of the World’s Best Car for 2024 by the Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY). The annual award is a result of in-depth evaluations by 75 women motoring journalists from 52 countries across five continents. Aspects such as safety, quality, price, design, ease of driving, benefits, and environmental footprint are considered when casting their votes. The Kia EV9 was named over a total of 63 contenders.
MONTH OF MARCH
YEAR-TO-DATE
Model
2024
2023
2024
2023
EV9
1,281
N/A
4,007
N/A
EV6
1,537
988
4,059
3,392
Rio
246
2,439
1,823
7,008
Forte
13,417
11,891
33,623
30,526
K5
1,174
5,774
6,753
14,288
Stinger
1
958
0
2,046
Soul
5,284
6,907
12,452
16,984
Niro
2,902
2,736
7,475
9,827
Seltos
6,017
6,156
14,783
13,894
Sportage
15,211
12,965
37,286
31,684
Sorento
8,799
6,886
22,244
20,166
Telluride
10,152
10,585
25,578
27,190
Carnival
3,451
3,009
9,538
7,131
Total
69,472
71,294
179,621
184,136
Kia America – about us
Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia America continues to top automotive quality surveys. Kia is recognized as one of the TIME100 Most Influential Companies of 2023. Kia serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and offers a range of gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles sold through a network of over 775 dealers in the U.S., including several cars and SUVs proudly assembled in America*.
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* The Sportage (excludes HEV and PHEV models), Sorento (excludes HEV and PHEV models), and Telluride are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.
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[1] Advanced driver assistance systems are not substitutes for safe driving and may not detect all objects around the vehicle. Always drive safely and use caution.
[2] Based on review of publicly available information found on Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) websites as of March 8, 2024
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Information posted in press releases on the Kia Media website was accurate at the time of posting but may be superseded by subsequent releases or other information.