Kia Motors Corporation announced 239,059 units of global sales for May 2019, a 3.4 percent decrease compared to same period last year.
Kia’s best-selling model was the Sportage SUV, with 39,421 units sold globally in May.
Sales outside of Korea dropped 2.2 percent year-on-year to 196,059 units, due partially to slower sales in China and other emerging markets. Sales were led by the Sportage with 36,101 units, followed by the K3 (Forte) and the Rio (Pride) subcompact sedan with 27,063 and 24,932 units, respectively.
Sales in Korea totaled 43,000 units, an 8.6 percent decline compared to May 2018. The Carnival (Sedona) continued its streak as the top-selling model for the 14th consecutive month with 6,109 vehicles, while the Picanto (Morning) posted 4,306 units as the best seller among passenger vehicles.
Kia’s global sales are forecast to gain momentum in upcoming months, with overseas sales supported by the flagship SUV Telluride and a new small SUV model, and domestic sales rebounding with the launches of the enhanced Mohave (Borrego) and K7 (Cadenza).
Editor’s note
* Sales in Korea are based on retail sales, while overseas sales (global sales excluding Korea) are based on wholesale.
* Monthly sales figures provided in this press release are unaudited and on a preliminary basis.