Kia Strives for Greater Heights Despite Falling Short of 2025 Target

Kia’s Mixed Results for 2025

South Korean automaker Kia has closed the books on the past year with results that paint a mixed picture. On one hand, the company set a new global record by selling 3.13 million vehicles, marking a 2% increase from the previous year. On the other hand, Kia fell short of its own target, which had been set at 3.22 million units.

Photo: Kia

The main driver of success proved to be their crossovers. The three most popular models for the brand were as follows: Kia Sportage with 569,688 units sold; Kia Seltos with 299,766 units; and Kia Sorento with 264,673 units.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Despite the miss in forecasts, Kia is setting the bar higher: the target for 2026 is to sell 3.35 million vehicles. This is expected to be achieved through the launch of new models, including the new Telluride and Seltos. The company plans to sell 565,000 vehicles in its domestic market, while export plans are set at 2.775 million vehicles.

In 2026, there is also an expected near doubling in sales of military trucks and special-purpose vehicles-up to 10,000 units.

Comparative Performance of Hyundai

Kia’s parent company, Hyundai, also fell short of its 2025 plan, selling 4.14 million cars compared to the planned 4.17 million. For 2026, Hyundai has set a cautious target of 4.16 million units.

Geopolitical and economic factors continue to impact global automotive markets, influencing companies like Hyundai and Kia to carefully consider their regional strategies and model introductions. Observers will be watching closely how these companies adapt to changing consumer demands and technological advancements.