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By Moses Akaigwe
December sales of 60,275 units capped the best-ever fourth quarter for fast-growing Kia America and wrapped the greatest annual performance in company history. Kia’s 2023 total of 782,451 units was up 13-percent year-over-year and 12-percent over the previous record set in 2021.
Notably, Kia’s retail sales surged 11-percent in 2023 with 725,817 units purchased through Kia dealers nationwide.
“Kia is clearly a brand on the move. Our rugged SUVs and innovative EVs are our greatest strength, and demand across the Kia lineup reached all-time highs in 2023,” said Seungkyu (Sean) Yoon, president and CEO, Kia North America and Kia America. “Groundbreaking vehicles like our new flagship EV9 EV three-row SUV showcase Kia’s unique ability to elevate expectations and push boundaries, and we intend to accelerate our growth trajectory in 2024 with a combination of six all-new and significantly redesigned products scheduled to arrive in showrooms.”
Six Kia models set all-time annual sales records in 2023, including: Carnival (+93-percent); Niro (+26-percent); Seltos (+17-percent); Sportage (+12-percent); Telluride (+11-percent); and Forte (+7-percent). Sales of Kia’s electrified models increased 41-percent and SUV sales increased 16-percent over the segments’ previous records. Overall, Kia’s rugged and capable SUVs accounted for 72-percent of 2023’s annual sales total.
But, that is not all the good news from Kia North America, for only four days into the new year, the all-electric Kia EV9 3-row SUV was named North American Utility Vehicle of the Yea by the North American Car of the Year (NACTOY) jury.
This is the third occasion in five years that the NACTOY jury has named a Kia vehicle as its top choice in the category, and the second win for a Kia electric vehicle (EV).
“The Kia EV9 represents a new paradigm in the three-row SUV segment,” said Seungkyu (Sean) Yoon, president and CEO, Kia North America and Kia America. “For the second consecutive year, the three finalists have been EVs or included EVs as part of a larger lineup, which illustrates where the segment is headed. This win proves that EV9 is not only a top utility vehicle, but also an exemplary EV.”
The EV9 was selected by 50 automotive experts from print, online, radio, and broadcast media. As part of the evaluation process, NACTOY jurors tested vehicles ranging from sports cars to pickup trucks, and assessed criteria including automotive innovation, design, safety features, performance, technology, driver satisfaction, user experience, and value.
Following on the heels of the Kia EV6 winning the prestigious accolade last year, the all-new Kia EV9 signifies the first mass-market three row EV SUV in the U.S.
In yet another good news, the all-new 2024 Kia EV9 EV SUV has earned its first awards of the new year from the editors of two trusted sources for car research and reporting – The Car Connection and Green Car Reports. Both publications have named Kia’s three-row flagship as their overall “Best Car To Buy 2024.”
In addition, the EV9 has also earned “Best Family Car To Buy 2024” category honors from The Car Connection for a total of three awards. The Car Connection and Green Car Reports are a part of the Internet Brands Automotive Group, one of the largest collections of automotive properties on the Internet, reaching more than 23 million unique visitors each month.
“We are thrilled to have the EV9 recognized in this way by the editorial staffs of The Car Connection and Green Car Reports,” said Steven Center, COO & EVP, Kia America. “This triple win helps put our newest flagship on the map for those wanting a world-class, three-row EV SUV centered on technology, capability, and premium amenities, at an exceptional value.”
The Car Connection selected the Kia EV9 from a competitive field of new or fully redesigned models from across the industry. Each contender achieved top scores in the online publication’s unique “TCC Rating” system, a 10-point methodology that evaluates vehicles across six categories: safety, comfort and utility, fuel economy, performance, technology, and styling.
“The Kia EV9 does so much so well, from its electric-car efficiency to its digital interfaces,” said Marty Padgett, Editorial Director of The Car Connection, Motor Authority, and Green Car Reports. “If it looks like the future of family vehicles, that’s because it is.”
Simultaneously, Green Car Reports, a research and news source for sustainable mobility recognised the Kia EV9 as its “Best Car To Buy 2024.” Editors made their decisions based on multiple criteria including new technologies, practicality, and impact on the environment.
“The EV9 fits families well,” Padgett said. “But with its ability to serve as energy storage for the home and for the grid, it’s a cutting-edge technology leader, too.”
In Nigeria, the Kia brand is represented by Kia Motors Nigeria Ltd, which owns an assembly plant where most of its vehicles are produced.
