Kia Trumpets Banner Year
Automaker’s sales defy trade tariff obstacles in what it expects to be another best

Kia introduced a second-generation Telluride at the recent Los Angeles Auto Show, with 'a more upscale design,' a new hybrid variant, and an 'enhanced' X-Pro model for off-roading.
Kia
Kia’s U.S. subsidiary said it’s on pace for its third straight year of record sales here.
Year-to-date U.S. sales for the South Korean automaker, whose parent company is Hyundai, are up 7% to more than 777,000 units, Kia said. November activity contributed nearly a 10th of that.
The sales surge, achieved despite U.S. trade tariffs, has come across vehicle types, five models leading the year-to-date increase, the automaker said: the midsize K5 car, up 64%, the Carnival minivan, up 46%, the Sportage compact SUV, up 13%, the Telluride midsize crossover SUV, up 8%, and the midsize Sorento SUV, up 2%.
“As consumer demand shifts, Kia’s diverse product lineup and growing hybrid portfolio has us on the verge of our third consecutive annual sales record,” said Kia America Vice President, Sales Operations Eric Watson.
Kia and Hyundai could see even more lift from this week’s lowering of U.S. trade tariffs on imports from the country from 25% to 15%.
Kia has been working to make its lineup more appealing to American consumers. The automaker introduced a second-generation Telluride at the recently ended Los Angeles Auto Show for the 2027 model year with “a more upscale design,” a new hybrid variant, and an “enhanced” X-Pro model for off-roading, plus a roomier, “sanctuary-like” cabin and other features Kia said are common to luxury SUVs.
“Interest in the all-new Telluride is expanding beyond our current customer base, and we expect this positive momentum to carry into next year,” Watson said.
Kia also pointed out its 25% year-to-date sales bump among electrified models, though many brands experienced EV delivery increases spurred by the end of federal tax credits in October.
Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today
More Industry

RV Group Expands Carolina Footprint
Blue Compass RV Columbia Northeast is the 13th RV dealership owned by Blue Compass in the Carolinas.
Read More →
Agent Acumen
An Agent Summit panel of people who’ve been supporting auto dealers for years gave both timely and timeless advice for those starting out or mulling the prospect.
Read More →
Missed Maintenance Creates Opportunity
As families get back on the road and into daily school routines, service drives have an opportunity to capture customers who are behind on recommended vehicle maintenance.
Read More →
Mitsubishi Unveils U.S. Plan
The automaker announced a strategy that includes an expanded lineup and dealership presence, along with more ‘rugged’ and electric models.
Read More →
Selling to Grow
The question of whether you should sell your agency and if so, when, is up to you. But it’s a question worth asking to ensure you keep the business on the right path for yourself, employees and clients.
Read More →
Recalled Vehicles Hit 5-Year High
Though the number of events has fallen so far this year, impacted units are up significantly. Meanwhile, regulators consider consumer notification changes.
Read More →
Auto Group Acquires Top-Performing Rooftop
Car Pros sold its Kia Huntington Beach location to Sutherlin Automotive Group, marking the buyer’s third location in Southern California.
Read More →
China as Pacesetter
Automotive leaders huddled on where North America stands in the global picture and how it can strengthen its position against the Asian juggernaut’s surging industry.
Read More →
BMW Concept Car Makes Fuel to Burn
The prototype developed in concert with a South Carolina university engineering team generates more solar energy than it uses in a typical daily commute.
Read More →
South Carolina Auto Group Downsizes
Florida-based group Holler-Classic has acquired four rooftops, its first in South Carolina, from Dick Smith Automotive Group.
Read More →