Kia achieves No.2 UK sales spot and leads EV retail market in latest SMMT data

• Kia ranked as the second best-selling car brand in the UK, according to the latest SMMT vehicle registration figures
• Over 10,000 Kia vehicles registered in January, securing a 6.9% car market share (9,983 cars registered)
• Sportage the UK’s No.1 best-selling model
• Debut sales of the Kia PV5 saw it become the third best-selling electric LCV
• Kia the No.1 retail EV brand sales in the market, No.2 overall
• Kia Picanto the No.1 best-selling city car in January

Kia is the second best-selling car brand in the UK, following the announcement of the latest vehicle registration figures by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Kia registered over 10,000 (10,199) vehicles in the month (cars and LCVs), including 9,983 cars with a large 6.9% car market share. The results were spurred once again by Kia’s global best-selling model, the new Sportage, which was once again the UK’s No.1 best-selling and most popular model, year-to-date (4,675 registrations). Globally, Kia sold 245,557 units in January, marking a 2.4% year-on-year increase.

The month saw the landmark first month of sales of the PV5 – Kia’s first dedicated electric commercial vehicle – which immediately made an impact on the market as the third best-selling electric LCV, with 216 registered, giving it a 13.2% share of the eLCV market.

Furthering Kia’s journey to becoming leaders in electrification, January saw the brand become the No.1 for EV sales in the retail market, and No.2 overall across retail and fleet EV sales. Sales were supported by each of Kia’s six-strong electric car line-up – EV3, EV4, EV5, EV6, EV9, and PV5 Passenger – while the EV3 ended the month as the fifth best-selling EV in the retail market, and the EV5 close behind in seventh spot. Overall, the EV3 was the seventh best-selling EV across retail and fleet sales.

Kia’s smallest model on sale, the Picanto, also continued to attract new buyers and ended the month as the No.1 best-selling city car (A segment) with 1,041 registrations.

Kia began the year by unveiling the EV2 at the Belgian Motor Show in January, with plans to launch it in the UK later in 2026. In addition, Kia plans to expand its model range in the UK with the introduction of the Seltos – already an important model for the brand globally – as well as new variants of the PV5 electric commercial vehicle. Together with its current line-up, these additions are set to help Kia strive for another record-breaking year in 2026.

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