Domestic sales of vehicles based on Kia's proprietary EV platform "E-GMP" are expected to surpass 200,000 units this month.
According to the industry Sunday, domestic sales of Kia EVs equipped with E-GMP totaled 195,355 units on a cumulative basis as of last month. With monthly sales averaging more than 10,000 units this year, the figure is all but certain to exceed 200,000 units this month.
Kia is also expected to set its highest-ever annual sales record. Sales of the relevant models reached 63,971 units in the first half of this year, far exceeding last year's total of 46,313 units, which had been the annual record. Recent year-by-year sales trends show an increase from 11,023 units in 2021 to 24,852 units in 2022, followed by a steady level of around 20,000 units before rising rapidly starting last year.
The industry expects that if the strong sales continue, Kia could achieve annual sales of 100,000 units this year. In that case, Kia would become the first brand, domestic or foreign, to join the "100,000-unit club" in Korea's EV market.
By model, the EV6 has recorded the most sales. Cumulative EV6 sales totaled 76,821 units, accounting for about 40% of Kia's dedicated EVs. The EV3 (52,494 units) and PV5 (18,836 units) followed.
The industry cites Kia's release of various dedicated EV models to enhance product competitiveness as a factor in its popularity. Except for 2022, Kia has launched a dedicated EV every year since 2021. Last year, the company unveiled three dedicated EV models—the EV4, EV5, and PV5—and pursued aggressive sales.
Kia plans to sequentially introduce three new PV5 lineups (Passenger 7-seater, Prime, and Cargo High Roof) unveiled at the recent Busan Mobility Show and to begin deliveries of the EV5 Standard model in earnest. "In the first half of this year, sales of Kia's dedicated EVs increased, and EV sales reached an all-time high," a Kia official said. "In the second half, we will launch the new PV5 models and the EV5 Standard to lead the popularization of Korea's EV market."
