Kia set a new global sales record in the first quarter, driven by strong demand for electric vehicles. With a full lineup ranging from the entry-level EV2 to the PV5 van, Kia now offers an EV for nearly everyone. Kia sets new Q1 sales record as EVs drive growth Kia sold a record 779,741 vehicles in the first three months of 2026, up 0.9% from Q1 2025. During its earnings call on Friday, the Korean automaker attributed the growth to strong demand for electric and hybrid models in its biggest global markets. Despite global demand dropping 7.2%, Kia’s global market share rose to 4.1%, marking its first time crossing the 4% threshhold. Kia’s eco-friendly vehicles, including hybrids and purely electric models, carried the bulk of the growth. The company sold 232,000 eco-friendly vehicles, up 33% year over year (YOY). Advertisement - scroll for more content Sales of hybrid vehicles climbed 32% to 138,000 units with new models like the Telluride and Sportage rolling out in North America. Kia’s EV sales grew 54% YOY to 86,000 units. In its home market of Korea, sales increase 5.4%, driven by “increased sales of electric vehicles such as the EV3, EV5, and PV5” after the government boosted EV subsidies earlier this year. Kia EV5 (Source: Kia) Although overseas sales remained flat due to supply disruptions caused by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Kia said that an “aggressive shift in sales to other regions”, including North America and Western Europe, helped soften the impact. While Kia expanded the supply of new hybrids in North America, its sales promotions in Europe centered on EVs, including the new EV2, EV3, EV4, EV5, and PV5. The Kia EV4 GT (Source: Kia) “Although short-term cost increase factors such as the application of US tariffs have emerged, we are continuing to expand our global market share and achieve qualitative growth centered on eco-friendly vehicles,” a company official said. In the US, Kia said it “plans to increase its market dominance” by focusing on higher margin vehicles like the Telluride and Carnival. In Europe, it plans to expand its share of the EV market with a full lineup of high-volume EVs, including the EV2, EV3, EV4, and EV5. While those in the US will miss out on the EV2, EV4, and EV5, Kia is set to launch the EV3 later this year. Stay up to date with the latest content by subscribing to Electrek on Google News. You’re reading Electrek— experts who break news about Tesla, electric vehicles, and green energy, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow Electrek on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our YouTube channel for the latest reviews.
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