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

Kia Closes Out Summer With a Bang
Its U.S. subsidiary broke multiple records in August, in part due to a surge of demand for hybrids models.
Read More →
Indiana Dealership Changes Hands
A 30-year-old Ford dealership in Indiana has a new owner and will soon be undergoing renovations to meet manufacturer requirements.
Read More →
Texas Dealership No Longer in the Family
The Ford store, a longtime cornerstone of the Houston market, is now part of one of the fastest-growing U.S. auto groups.
Read More →
Genesis Grows California Presence
The Cardinale Automotive Group opened its third Genesis rooftop in the Golden State, Genesis of San Bruno, a stand-alone dealership serving the San Francisco Bay Area.
Read More →
August Auto Sales a Mixed Bag
An early forecast shows strong business despite consumer hurdles, and hybrids are a big piece of their affordability coping strategy.
Read More →
EV Market Humming Along
July sales show steady growth as the segment stabilizes from last year’s artificial surge following pullback of federal support.
Read More →
Auto Loan Delinquency Rates Stabilize
Auto loans are a main driver of nonmortgage consumer debt, but delinquency rates stabilized in the second quarter across all credit risk tiers.
Read More →
EV Sales Recover in Q2
The EV sales roller coaster continues as numbers show improvement, but industry experts predict a year-over-year third-quarter decline and fourth-quarter jump.
Read More →
The Cheapest Hybrids to Fuel
The powertrain is increasing in popularity, in no small part due to its fuel economy. A new report lists the most efficient hybrids on the market.
Read More →
Hybrids and SUVs Gaining Ground
The most recent Kelley Blue Book Brand Watch found that only two nonluxury brands increased in shopper consideration, buoyed by their hybrid and SUV offerings.
Read More →