KIA RECORDS BEST-EVER JULY AS CUSTOMERS RETURN TO SHOWROOMS

Kia saw a resurgence of demand for its vehicles as UK car-buyers returned to the showrooms in July with 9,110 cars delivered – up 28 per cent over 2019 when the brand delivered 7,115 cars. Kia’s previous best July was in 2016 when it delivered 7,417 new vehicles.

Paul Philpott, President and CEO of Kia Motors (UK) Limited commented: “After a very difficult period when our dealers have struggled with lockdown and our customers have had to delay their hoped-for new car purchase it was good to see a strong return in July.

“To see so many customers coming back to our dealers’ showrooms was heartening – but we must be cautious as no-one knows what the rest of the year holds. I was delighted to see that our electrified Niro family became our best-selling model in July and with additional supply of the e-Niro having become available for this autumn I believe we have the strongest mainstream electrified range in the UK,” he added.

Kia’s best-seller in July included hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full battery electric versions with 2,529 Niro variants delivered to customers – beating perennial best-seller Sportage into second-place with 2,505 registrations. The Ceed family ranked third at 1,617 including plug-in hybrid versions. Picanto took fourth spot with 1,009 delivered and the stylish Stonic crossover was fifth with 671 customers taking delivery of their new car.

Kia’s year to date total sales stood 38,080 at the end of July, down 37 per cent year-on-year compared to 60,347 in 2019. The brand ranked eighth overall in July in terms of sales but when premium brands are excluded Kia was fifth amongst mainstream volume sellers.