Seoul: Kia Corp., South Korea's second-largest automaker, reported a 2 percent increase in sales for 2025 compared to the previous year, primarily propelled by strong demand for its sport utility vehicle (SUV) models.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kia, an affiliate of Hyundai Motor Co., sold 3,135,803 vehicles in 2025, an increase from 3,089,300 units in 2024. The company highlighted this growth in a press release, attributing the rise to the popularity of its robust SUV lineup.

The company observed a 1 percent increase in domestic sales, reaching 545,776 units, up from 540,010 units in the previous year. Overseas sales saw a 2 percent rise, with a total of 2,584,238 vehicles sold, compared to 2,543,168 units the year before. The company's release noted that the Sportage and Seltos SUVs played a significant role in bolstering its overseas sales.

However, the annual figures included 5,789 special-purpose vehicles, marking a 5 percent decrease from the 6,122 units sold the previous year. In December alone, Kia experienced a slight dip in vehicle sales, which fell 1 percent to 236,672 units, down from 240,455 units in the corresponding month of the previous year.

Looking forward to 2026, Kia aims to achieve global sales of 3.35 million vehicles. The target comprises 2.77 million units in exports and domestic sales of 565,000 vehicles. Kia plans to reach this goal by expanding its electric vehicle (EV) sales, strengthening its hybrid lineup, and focusing on exploring new overseas markets.