Kia Motors has posted its highest quarterly sales in Europe in the first three months of 2019, according to the latest ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers Association) data. Sales of 132,174 units so far represent a sales increase of 0.6%. At the same time, Kia's market share in the European market increased to 3.2%, up from 3.1% in the same period of 2018.
Emilio Herrera, Chief Operating Officer of Kia Motors Europe, comments: "Kia's European sales this quarter were the highest ever, boosted by the all-new Ceed family of models, which expanded this quarter with the arrival of the new Proceed (five-door shooting brake) which immediately proved to be extremely successful, as its sales in March alone matched the annual sales of its three-door predecessor for all of 2018."
Herrera adds: "Our new models are what have driven our sales and we will be introducing more new cars in the coming months, including a new Ceed crossover. By expanding and renewing our range we are gaining an even stronger position to ensure continued growth in Europe."
New ProCeed outperforms its predecessor as Ceed sales grow
As a result of the introduction of the new Ceed last year, sales in the first quarter of 2019 increased by 29% compared to the same period last year, from 19,000 to 24,510 units. Particularly popular is Kia's new five-door shooting brake, the ProCeed, of which a total of 3,908 units were sold in the first quarter of 2019, a three-digit increase (459.9%) compared to sales of the previous, three-door pro_cee'd during the first quarter of 2018. In March alone, sales of the new ProCeed equaled the sales of its predecessor throughout 2018.
The Ceed hatchback and Sportswagon saw year-on-year increases of 12% and 13.5% for the same period, respectively. A new Ceed crossover will be introduced later this year and later this year to further enhance the popular model range.
The Ceed remains Kia's second most popular model in Europe, behind the Sportage SUV, which is also manufactured in Europe and sales in the first quarter of 2019 reached 32,354 units.
Electrified transmissions increase their share of Kia's European sales
So far this year, 1 in 8 Kia cars sold in Europe has an electrified transmission. Kia's range now includes mild hybrid, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric versions of its models. Overall, sales of electrified models increased by one-third year-on-year to 18,670 units.
Kia's most popular electrified model, the Niro, saw its quarterly year-on-year sales increase by 49.6% to 15,965 units. Both its hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions sold more than ever before. Kia recently announced major upgrades to the Niro Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.
Sales of the Optima Plug-in Hybrid (available as a Sedan and Sportswagon) increased by 48.3% to 1,435 units while the outgoing Soul EV posted sales of 474 units in the weeks leading up to its replacement.
Kia also saw strong demand for its two newest BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicle), the e-Soul and e-Niro. Both models are already available in selected European markets, with more to follow later this year. Sales were also boosted - over 1,000 sales in the quarter - by the Sportage EcoDynamics+ hybrid.
Increase also for Stinger, Stonic and Picanto
Kia saw increases at both the top and bottom end of its European range. Sales of the Picanto city car (mini) were up 13.8% (to 21,154 units), while those of the Stinger were up 34.5% (to 1,103 units). The Stonic compact SUV - Kia's fourth most popular model behind the Sportage, Ceed and Picanto - also saw its sales rise by 4.9% to 15,968 units.
