- Kia Seltos has recorded its highest monthly sales volume in the first month of 2020 as 15,450 units (including some Carnival units) were sold in the previous month against 4,645 units
Since the launch of its first local product, The Seltos, Kia Motors India Limited has been on a roll. With three BSVI compliant powertrain choices right from the word go, the mid-size SUV is offered in a wide range attracting customers of varying preferences. Since its market launch in August 2019, the Seltos has helped the company report massive sales volumes. Kia has managed to outsell some of the existing mainstream brands with consistency, with a single vehicle in its domestic portfolio.
The South Korean auto major recorded its highest monthly sales volume in the first month of 2020 as 15,450 units (including some Carnival units) were sold in the previous month against 4,645 units, with sales growth of 232.6 percent MoM. It was fourth among producers ahead of Renault, Tata, Honda, Toyota, Ford, and others. The five-seater recently saw a price hike and is being sold between Rs. 9.89 lakh and Rs. 17.34 lakh (ex-showroom). So far nearly 62,000 Seltos units have been retailed and not too long ago the SUV reached one lakh reservation. It is powered by 1.5-liter gasoline engines, 1.5-liter diesel engines, and 1.4-liter turbocharged petrol.
Kia Motors India’s strong performance in November 2019, when it delivered 14,005 Seltos SUVs, has increased Kia Motors ‘ global sales. Therefore, the Seltos made-in-India has notched cumulative sales of 40,581 units in just four months, giving it an average of 10,145 units a month. It’s no surprise that the Seltos already took the crown from Maruti Suzuki Vitara Breeza to India’s bestselling list of SUVs in October.
This was a really solid start for a new brand on the Indian market. By the end of October, the SUV’s strong success provided Kia Motors India with a market share of 4.85 percent UV.
Kia Motors India says it has earned more than 60,000 bookings for the Seltos so far and has begun a second shift to ramp up overall production at its manufacturing facility in Anantapur to ensure timely deliveries. The firm says that it will not close the reservations of the model as its plant is completely capable of meeting the increasing consumer demand of the Seltos.
Kia, SAIC Motor-owned MG Motor and PSA’s Citroen are the three automakers set to enter the domestic market in this and next year. Of the three, Kia outlined India’s most aggressive strategy to start its journey with an annual capacity of 300,000 vehicles and 265 touchpoints in 160 cities— a mix of dealerships and service centers.