3.9% of all cars sold in Europe during the first half of 2021 was a Kia.
Despite having flounder over here in recent time, Kia nevertheless had better sales fortunes elsewhere in the wider world. Like in Europe for instance, where the South Korean automaker has achieved its highest ever market share during the first half of 2021.
According to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), 3.9% of all cars sold in the old continent during the first six months of this year were from Kia. The South Korean marque’s UK division also achieved its best-ever market share over this period too, though the 45,277 units sold on the island during this time was only the second highest half-year sales for the automaker over there.
Now continuing on the topic of large numbers, the 251,236 Kias sold over the first six months of 2021 represented a 40.8% increase in sales over the 178,393 units shifted in the same period last year. Looking at the bigger picture meanwhile, the passenger car market across the EU, EFTA and UK markets grew by 27.1% overall in this past six months to the first six months of 2020 when the pandemic was at its (first) peak.
While proud of this achievement, Kia is however aiming for even greater heights in the latter half of 2021 when it plans to debut the new iteration of its popular Sportage SUV and all-electric EV6 over there. It will unfortunately be a long time coming before both those models are introduced locally however, and perhaps even longer still before the South Korean automaker can experience a similar sales achievement in Malaysia.
PRESS RELEASE: According to new data released today by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) Kia has achieved its highest ever market share in Europe of 3.9 per cent during the first half of 2021.
Over the same period, Kia UK Limited recorded its second highest half-year sales, and achieved a best-ever first-half market share of five per cent.
The passenger car market across the EU, EFTA and UK markets grew 27.1 per cent overall compared to the first six months of 2020 when the pandemic closed showrooms across the globe. Kia’s growth over the same period was an incredible 40.8 per cent, with sales of 251,236 year-to-date compared to 178,393 during the same period last year. These sales figures and percentage growth put the brand on an equal or higher footing than many equivalent mainstream brands.
Throughout the first-half of 2021, Kia UK Limited registered 45,277 units, making up 18 per cent of Kia’s European sales in the same time period.
Jason Jeong, President at Kia Europe, commented: “As the automotive sector begins to recover from the pandemic, we welcome customers back to our showrooms. Since the company’s brand relaunch at the beginning of the year, we have seen strong growth in our passenger car market and have now achieved our highest ever market share in Europe. This is a testament to the strength of the new Kia brand and our inspirational range of electrified and low-emissions vehicles.
“As we look toward the second half of the year, we are confident that the introduction of the EV6 and all-new Sportage will attract new customers to the Kia family and further boost our market share across Europe,” Jeong added.
