Kia sales climb as Chinese automakers surge in European market

Kia Corp. reported a rise of more than 4% in global sales for the January‑May period, with a 10% increase in Europe in May despite heightened competition from Chinese manufacturers. The boost was driven by higher demand for electric and hybrid models, especially in Europe where fuel price spikes have accelerated interest. Kia also highlighted strong hybrid sales in the United States, citing the Telluride SUV and plans to launch a midsize pickup, part of a strategy to expand its hybrid lineup to eight models by 2030.

Across the wider European auto market, registrations of new passenger cars grew 4.5% year‑on‑year in the first five months of 2026, reaching about 5.83 million vehicles. Growth was uneven: Estonia, Malta and Slovenia posted double‑digit gains, while Cyprus, Romania, the Netherlands and Slovakia saw declines of 6‑8%. Traditional brands such as Mitsubishi (‑43%), DS, Alfa Romeo, Ford, Porsche, Dacia, Nissan, Lexus and Hyundai recorded double‑digit drops. In contrast, Chinese entrants Leapmotor (+553%), BYD (+145%) and Chery (+316%) surged, with Tesla also posting a 57% increase, underscoring a rapid shift toward Asian manufacturers in Europe.