Kia India, which started its operations in August 2019, has reached a significant milestone by exporting over 250,000 locally manufactured vehicles. According to data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), by the end of April 2024, Kia India had dispatched a total of 252,830 units to international markets.
Since its entry into the Indian market, Kia India has launched five vehicles: the Seltos midsize SUV, the Sonet compact SUV, the Carnival MPV (now discontinued), the Carens MPV, and the all-electric EV6 SUV. Except for the EV6, which is imported, the other models have been exported from India.
Kia India’s fiscal year 2023 was its best in terms of export performance, with 85,756 units shipped—a 69% increase from the previous year (FY2022: 50,864 units). This accounted for 13% of India’s total passenger vehicle exports, which amounted to 662,891 units. During FY2023, Kia India was the third-largest exporter of passenger vehicles, following Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motor India. However, exports in FY2024 saw a decline, with 52,105 units shipped, marking a 39% year-on-year decrease.
From August 2019 to the end of April 2024, Kia India manufactured a total of 1.21 million units (12,12,111 units) at its 350,000-units-per-annum factory in Anantapur. Of these, exports accounted for 252,830 units, representing 21% of the total production, while the remaining 79% were sold in the domestic market.
The Seltos midsize SUV, Kia India’s first product and its best-seller both domestically and internationally, leads the export chart with 147,615 units, constituting 58% of total exports. The Sonet compact SUV follows with 87,779 units, making up 35% of the exports. The Carens MPV, which has been exported for 27 months, has shipped 17,295 units, accounting for 7% of exports. Additionally, 141 units of the discontinued Carnival MPV were exported.
In Kia’s global strategy, India is a key market due to its status as the world’s fastest-growing economy. The Anantapur plant, established just over four years ago, has become one of the most critical export hubs in Kia’s global network. The demand for utility vehicles and MPVs remains strong, and Kia’s made-in-India products are increasingly gaining traction in numerous countries.