New Delhi, India – South Korean automotive giants Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation have recorded their highest-ever sales in the first quarter (January-March) of 2025 in India, the world's third-largest automobile market.
According to data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) on April 13th, the combined sales of Hyundai and Kia reached a total of 229,126 units during the first three months of the year. This represents a 1.5% increase compared to the previous record of 225,686 units sold in the same period last year.
Hyundai emerged as the second-highest selling brand in India, trailing only Maruti Suzuki, with sales of 153,550 units. Kia secured the sixth position with 75,576 units sold, marking its best quarterly performance in the Indian market since its entry in August 2019. Together, Hyundai and Kia commanded a significant market share of 19.4%, with Hyundai holding 13.0% and Kia accounting for 6.4%.
The surge in sales was primarily driven by the robust demand for their Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) models. In the first quarter, SUV sales for Hyundai and Kia collectively reached 181,758 units, constituting approximately 80% of their total sales. The quartet of popular SUVs – the Hyundai Creta and Venue, and the Kia Sonet and Seltos – demonstrated strong performance with combined sales of 121,582 units.
Leading the charge in terms of individual models was the Hyundai Creta, which sold 48,449 units, making it the top-selling model for both manufacturers. The Creta, a localized model specifically designed for Indian road conditions featuring a higher ground clearance and ample rear seating for large families, also emerged as the best-selling SUV in India during the first quarter. Kia's Sonet, another locally developed model that is now exported to global markets, also performed exceptionally well, selling 22,497 units and becoming the best-selling vehicle within the Kia lineup in India.
This remarkable sales performance underscores Hyundai Motor Group's growing foothold in one of the world's fastest-expanding automobile markets. India surpassed Japan in 2023 to become the third-largest auto market globally, after China and the United States, and has maintained this position as a "Global Top 3" market through the past year.
Hyundai is strategically investing to further solidify its presence in the Indian market. In 2023, the company acquired General Motors' (GM) manufacturing plant located in Pune, Maharashtra, which is slated to commence operations in the second half of this year (July-December). Furthermore, Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), the company's Indian subsidiary, achieved a significant milestone in October last year by becoming the first overseas subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company to be successfully listed on the Indian stock exchanges.
Industry analysts anticipate that Hyundai and Kia will continue their strong performance in the Indian market, fueled by their popular SUV offerings, strategic investments in local manufacturing, and deep understanding of the evolving needs of Indian consumers. The expansion of their production capacity with the operationalization of the newly acquired Pune plant will further enable them to cater to the increasing demand and potentially capture an even larger share of India's dynamic automotive landscape. The successful public listing of HMIL also provides the company with greater financial flexibility to pursue its growth strategies in this crucial market.
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