Kia America posted second-quarter U.S. gross sales of 210,197, a rise of 15 p.c in contrast with the year-ago quarter. June gross sales rose 8 p.c to 70,495 and marked Kia’s eleventh consecutive month of positive factors and the seventh time Kia has posted greater than 70,000 gross sales in a single month.
Kia additionally set a first-half report, with gross sales of 394,333, up 18 p.c in contrast with 2022.
Eric Watson, Kia America’s gross sales chief, advised Automotive Information that in contrast with the primary six months of 2021, a notably robust interval for the trade as shoppers flocked again to showrooms following the pandemic, Kia’s first-half outcomes had been up 5 p.c.
Watson attributed Kia’s report first-half outcomes to the power of its crossover lineup, which logged a rise of 26 p.c within the first six months.
Kia’s Forte sedan is also doing properly due to city buyers, who nonetheless desire smaller, extra cost-efficient autos.
“Taking a look at markets on the West Coast like Los Angeles and San Francisco, in addition to others, they’re nonetheless heavy sedan markets, and we’re doing very well there,” Watson mentioned.
Watson mentioned provide is returning for some fashions that had been constrained throughout the pandemic, together with the Carnival folks hauler and Seltos entry-level crossover.
Although the availability chain is not out of the woods, Watson mentioned, it is “a lot improved and secure.”
“Our manufacturing is up and we have been in a position to promote that as a result of our gross sales are up yr over yr, however we’re not constructing supplier inventory,” he mentioned.
Demand for the EV6 and Niro EVs continues to slip because of the lack of the $7,500 tax credit score, however Watson says he sees restoration within the second half.
“There’s nonetheless confusion out there round incentives and charging, however we’re gaining momentum and again on the monitor that we would like for EVs,” he mentioned.
Notable nameplates: EV6, down 43% in June and 32% in Q2; Niro, up 84% in June and 13% in Q2; Telluride, up 4% in June and 13% in Q2; Sportage, down 2% in June; up 12% in Q2; Sorento, down 3% in June; up 7% in Q2; Seltos, up 158% in June and 114% in Q2; Carnival up 34% in June and 73% in Q2; Forte, up 11% in June and 11% in Q2.
Stock: Kia has been hovering at a 12- to 15-day provide for the previous 5 months, in response to the corporate.
Quote: “Your complete nation wants extra charging infrastructure it doesn’t matter what the usual the OEMs are utilizing. Between the Inflation Discount Act, the guarantees the federal government has made to put money into infrastructure and what non-public corporations and trade are doing, that mixture plus the precise progress of the variety of chargers will probably be extra significant and impactful than what normal completely different corporations undertake.” — Eric Watson, head of gross sales for Kia America
Do you know? Kia is getting ready its sellers to begin gross sales of the three-row EV9 electrical crossover within the fourth quarter.