Kia India has reported mixed performance in September 2025, recording 22,700 unit sales that reflect strong month-on-month recovery but a marginal year-on-year decline as the carmaker navigates evolving market dynamics.
Strong Monthly Recovery, Modest YoY Decline
The Korean automaker’s September figures represent a robust 15.8% increase from August 2025’s 19,608 units, signaling renewed momentum as the festive season approaches. However, compared to September 2024’s 23,523 units, the company registered a 3.5% year-on-year decline, indicating competitive pressures in India’s dynamic automotive market.
The month-on-month surge of over 3,000 units demonstrates Kia’s ability to capitalize on favorable market conditions, particularly the recent GST reforms and seasonal buying patterns during the critical festive period.
GST Reforms and Festive Season Drive Demand
Kia India attributes much of September’s momentum to GST reforms that have simplified taxation and enhanced affordability for car buyers. Coupled with the onset of India’s festive season, these factors have strengthened customer sentiment across the company’s diverse product portfolio.
“September 2025 marks a significant milestone for Kia India, driven by the positive impact of GST reforms and the festive season demand,” said Mr. Atul Sood, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Kia India. “The streamlined taxation framework has enhanced affordability and encouraged stronger customer engagement across our product portfolio.”
Product Portfolio and EV Growth
Kia’s comprehensive model range—comprising the Sonet, Carens, Carens Clavis, Seltos, Syros, and Carnival—continues to resonate with Indian consumers seeking comfort, innovation, and segment-leading features.
Notably, the Carens Clavis EV has emerged as a game-changer for Kia’s electric vehicle ambitions. In August 2025, the model powered the company to its best-ever monthly EV sales of 441 units, marking an over 2000% year-on-year increase and the first time Kia India achieved three-figure EV sales in 35 months.
Year-to-Date Performance Shows Healthy Growth
Despite the marginal September YoY dip, Kia India’s cumulative performance remains encouraging. The company has sold 206,582 units year-to-date, representing 7.2% growth compared to 192,690 units during the same period in 2024.
This growth trajectory demonstrates Kia’s sustained market presence and ability to maintain momentum across multiple quarters, even as the Indian automotive sector faces economic headwinds and intense competition.
Export Operations and Infrastructure
Beyond domestic sales, Kia India exported 2,606 units in September 2025, reinforcing its commitment to diversifying market outreach. The Anantapur facility has completed almost 1.5 million vehicle dispatches, including over 1.2 million domestic sales and over 367,000 exports.
Supporting its sales performance is Kia’s extensive distribution network of 744 touchpoints across 329 cities nationwide. With more than 470,000 connected cars on Indian roads, Kia ranks among the country’s connected car leaders.
Looking ahead, Kia India remains committed to sustainable mobility backed by advanced technology and feature-rich products. The festive season’s remaining months typically witness heightened automotive demand, and Kia appears well-positioned to capitalize on this momentum.
The company’s ability to maintain September’s 15.8% month-on-month growth while addressing the year-on-year comparison challenge will be crucial. With a strong year-to-date foundation of 206,582 units and growing EV presence, Kia India continues to be a significant force in India’s automotive landscape, adapting to market dynamics while staying true to its brand promise of “Movement that Inspires.”