Auto Sales March 2022: Kia Records Best Ever Monthly Sales; Posts 20% Growth In FY2022

Kia recorded its best monthly sales in India so far with 22,622 units sold in March 2022 – a 18.44 per cent growth year on year. The popular Seltos remained Kia's best seller in the month with 8,415 units sold followed by the new Carens which posted sales of 7,008 units edging out the Sonet from the number 2 spot by 137 units. The premium Carnival rounded out the month with 328 units retailed. The carmaker also recorded its best quarter yet with 60,062 units dispatched – a growth of 9.5 percent over the fourth quarter of FY 2020-21.

Commenting on the development, Hardeep Singh Brar, VP and Head of Sales & Marketing, Kia India said, "2022 has been a good year for us so far as we have been able to sustain our positive sales momentum in the past quarter. Our growing sales number can be attributed to our recently launched Carens, which has won Indian customers' hearts. We look forward to this outstanding positive trajectory continuing, backed by our revolutionary products and quality customer experience services.”

The Carens edged past the Sonet to become Kia's second-best selling model in March 2022

The Carens recorded overall sales of 12,117 units since its launch in mid-February.

Kia had additional reason to celebrate as well with the company posting a 20 percent year on year growth in the fiscal year notwithstanding the semiconductor shortage. The carmaker recorded sales of 1,86,787 units between April 2021 and March 2022. The Seltos remained in the driver's seat in terms of sales for the company in the financial year contributing 51 percent of overall sales with the Sonet contributing 40 percent of the cumulative figure.

The carmaker though has said that it is not completely out of the woods yet with the global semi-conductor shortage still a concern.

“We are still in the recovery phase, as the semiconductor shortage remains a concern, which has affected our planned production. However, we assure our customers that we are vigilant of the trends globally and taking adequate measures to keep the waiting periods in check," Brar said.

Kia recently commenced the operation of a third shift at its Anantapur facility as it looked to address the growing waiting periods on its line-up of cars. The plant caters to both domestic and export markets and recently crossed the 5 lakh unit production milestone – 4 lakh units for the domestic market and 1 lakh for exports.