Kia Corp will increase the production of its compact SUV, the Seltos, following its strong global sales performance. The South Korean automaker sold 310,000 units of the Seltos in 2024, making it the company’s second best-selling vehicle after the Sportage, which recorded 580,000 sales.
Expanded Production for Next-Generation Seltos
To meet growing demand, Kia has reached an agreement with its labor union to begin manufacturing the next-generation Seltos at its Hwaseong plant in Gyeonggi Province. Currently, the model is produced at Kia’s Gwangju plant in South Jeolla Province. In 2024, Kia manufactured 159,965 units of the Seltos following the launch of its second-generation model.
Production at the Hwaseong facility, which currently manufactures Kia’s Niro hybrid and electric models, is expected to begin with the introduction of the fully revamped third-generation Seltos in January 2025.
The move underscores Kia’s confidence in the continued strong demand for the Seltos, particularly in overseas markets. Of the 310,000 units sold in 2024, approximately 250,000 were shipped internationally, with emerging markets such as India and Europe driving sales.
Hybrid Demand Fuels Production Boost
As global electric vehicle (EV) sales slow, hybrid vehicles are experiencing increased demand. This trend has influenced Kia’s decision to expand Seltos production, as the upcoming third-generation model will include the Seltos’ first-ever hybrid variant.
Kia already offers hybrid options for several models, including the Niro, Sportage, Sorento, and Carnival. With the addition of the Seltos hybrid, Hyundai Motor Group, Kia’s parent company, will further expand its hybrid lineup across all vehicle segments, including the upcoming hybrid-powered Palisade.
Kia’s Strong Performance and EV Strategy
Kia reported a record-breaking annual revenue of 107.45 trillion won ($75 billion) in 2024, marking a 7.7% increase from the previous year. This milestone represents the first time the automaker has surpassed 100 trillion won in revenue since its founding in 1962. The growth was primarily driven by strong sales of SUVs and hybrid models.
The company sold 3.09 million vehicles globally in 2024, a slight increase of 0.1% from the previous year. International sales rose by 1.0% to 2.54 million units.
Despite declining demand for EVs, Kia remains committed to its long-term electric mobility goals. The automaker aims to increase annual EV sales to 1.6 million units by 2030, representing 37% of its total vehicle sales. In 2024, Kia sold 200,000 EVs. To support this expansion, Kia is developing a new lineup of affordable EVs, including the EV1, EV2, EV3, and EV4, as part of its broader electrification strategy.
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