A little over five years after its entry into the Indian utility vehicle market, Kia India has sold 1.11 million units in the domestic market and exported 269,567 vehicles. While the Sonet compact SUV is currently its best-selling product, the Korean automaker will be expecting the premium Syros compact SUV to accelerate demand in India and overseas.
19 Dec 2024 | 5870 Views | By Ajit Dalvi
Kia India, which unveiled its latest product – the Syros compact SUV – today, has clocked wholesales of 1.38 million units (13,82,481 units) since the Indian arm of the Korean automaker entered the domestic market in August 2019. As per SIAM data, domestic sales at 11,12,914 units account for 80.50% ...
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Kia India, which unveiled its latest product – the Syros compact SUV – today, has clocked wholesales of 1.38 million units (13,82,481 units) since the Indian arm of the Korean automaker entered the domestic market in August 2019. As per SIAM data, domestic sales at 11,12,914 units account for 80.50% of the total, while exports comprising 269,567 units make up the remaining 19.50 percent.
In the domestic market, FY2023 with 269,229 units was Kia India’s best performance for a fiscal to date, posting 44% year-on-year growth (FY2022: 186,787 units). FY2024, however, saw a decline of 8.76% YoY to 245,634 units. In the first eight months of the current FY2025, the SUV and MPV maker has sold a total of 170,674 units – up 1.75% YoY and an additional 2,945 units (April-November 2023: 1,67,729 units) over the year-ago period (see India sales data table above).
SONET ACCOUNTS FOR 43% OF SALES IN APRIL-NOVEMBER 2024
The Sonet compact SUV is currently Kia India’s best-selling product and between April and November 2024 has sold 73,971 units, up 42% YoY, and accounts for 43% of the company’s total. The rollout of the new Sonet in January 2024 has given a fresh charge to this model, which has outsold the Kia’s longstanding No.1 SUV – the Seltos midsize SUV – since its launch 11 months ago.
Sales of the Seltos, which has clocked 50,347 units in the fiscal year to date, are down by a substantial 28% YoY (April-November 2023: 69,898 units). The Seltos’ contribution to Kia India’s sales is 29 percent. Meanwhile, the Carens MPV, with 45,631 units, is up 1% on year-ago sales of 45,187 units. The new fourth-generation Carnival luxury MPV, launched in October 2024, has sold 496 units till end-November, while the all-electric EV6 accounts for 229 units.
With its entire portfolio comprising utility vehicles, Kia India’s share of the UV market currently stands at 9% of the estimated 1.84 million UVs sold in April-November 2024. Of its six UVs on sales, the company has three in the Top 10 best-selling UV chart – the Sonet at No. 10, Seltos at No. 17 and the Carens at No. 18.
KIA INDIA EXPORTS AT 269,567 UNITS, SELTOS TOPS WITH 56% SHARE
On the export front, from FY2020 till end-November 2024, Kia India has shipped a total of 269,567 vehicles overseas. As per SIAM data, the Seltos with 150,871 units is the No. 1 export model with a 56% share of exports, followed by the Sonet (96,096 units and 36% share), Carens (22,459 units and 8% share).
Like its domestic market performance, Kia India’s best fiscal for exports was FY2023 when it dispatched 85,756 units abroad, up 69% YoY. Since then, export sales have fallen. FY2024 exports of 52,105 units were down 39% YoY and in the first eight months of FY2025, at 18,941 units, export sales are down by a substantial 59% YoY (April-November 2023: 46,006 units).
BETTING BIG ON THE SYROS
With the all-new Syros compact SUV, its sixth model in India and a sibling to the Sonet , Kia will be looking to up the ante in the booking Indian SUV market. According to the company, ”The Syros aims to resonate with a diverse customer base, its advanced tech features, bold aesthetics, and futuristic space design are crafted to cater to individuals and families looking for a cutting-edge vehicle that stands out.”
Kia says the Syros will offer a “lounge-like” experience on the inside, with “futuristic features and an innovative seating layout”. Kia also stated that rear seat space will not only surpass the Sonet's but also the bigger Seltos. Further, it will include reclining rear seats, a feature that's currently exclusive to the Hyundai Venue in this segment.
The Syros will be powered by Kia's familiar 120hp, 172Nm 1.0-litre turbo-petrol and 116hp, 250Nm 1.5-litre diesel engines with their respective manual and automatic gearboxes. However, the naturally aspirated 1.2-litre petrol powerplant offered in entry-level Sonet variants will not be offered in the Syros, in keeping with its more premium positioning.
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