Seoul: Kia Corp. announced that its global sales experienced a slight rise in April compared to the previous year, driven by strong demand for its Sportage compact SUVs. The South Korean automaker reported selling a total of 277,188 units globally in April, marking a 1 percent increase from the same period last year.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the growth in sales was largely attributed to the Kia Sportage SUVs, which sold 51,458 units during the month. Following the Sportage, the Seltos SUVs recorded sales of 28,377 units, and the mid-sized crossover SUV Sorento sold 22,843 units.

In a notable achievement within the South Korean market, Kia surpassed its larger rival Hyundai Motor Co. in sales for the first time in 28 years. Kia, which became part of Hyundai Motor Group in 1998, sold 55,045 units domestically, reflecting a 7.9 percent increase from the previous year.

However, the company's international sales saw a slight decline. Sales outside South Korea decreased by 0.7 percent year-on-year, amounting to 221,692 units. This decline was partly attributed to the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, which has impacted sales in the Middle East and African markets, as stated by the company.

Despite the challenges in specific regions, Kia emphasized that sales remain strong in other areas as well as in the local market. The company expressed its commitment to maintaining sales momentum with a focus on eco-friendly vehicles, including electric vehicles and hybrid SUVs.