(SEOUL) April 24, 2026 – Kia Corporation today announced its 2026 first-quarter business results.

The company recorded quarterly revenue of KRW 29.5 trillion in the first quarter, an increase of 5.3 percent year on year, marking its highest-ever quarterly revenue. Robust sales of electrified models in global markets as well as an improved sales mix and higher average selling price (ASP) supported the results. 

Kia sold 779,741 vehicles globally in the first quarter of 2026, a 0.9 percent increase year on year, marking the company’s highest ever first-quarter sales volume.

Operating profit for the period was KRW 2.21 trillion, down 26.7 percent from a year earlier, impacted by the effect of U.S. tariffs, which were fully reflected for the first time. Increased incentives and higher warranty provisions also weighed on profitability, driven by a sharp rise in exchange rates at quarter-end. The company’s operating profit margin stood at 7.5 percent.

The company posted a net profit including non-controlling interest of KRW 1.83 trillion, down 23.5 percent compared with the same period last year. 

Wholesale sales outside of Korea totaled 638,228 units in the first quarter. Despite supply disruptions in the Middle East and Africa region, sales for the period remained flat year on year, supported by proactive volume reallocation to other regions, expanded supply of hybrid models in North America – such as the new Telluride and Sportage SUVs – and strong EV-led sales momentum in Europe, including the EV2, EV3, EV4, EV5, and PV5. 

Wholesale sales in Korea increased 5.2 percent to 141,513 units compared with the first quarter of 2025, driven by stronger EV sales – including the EV3, EV5, and PV5 – supported by the rollout of new EV subsidy programs at the beginning of the year. 

Despite a 7.2% year on year decline in global industry demand in the first quarter, Kia achieved global retail sales growth of 3.7%, achieving sales increases across all regions except for the Middle East and Africa. As a result, Kia’s global market share (retail) rose by 0.5 percentage points year on year to 4.1%. This marks the first time Kia’s global market share has exceeded 4%.

In the first quarter of 2026, Kia recorded global retail sales of 232,000 electrified vehicles (xEVs), including hybrid (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and battery-electric vehicles (EVs), representing a 33.1 percent increase year on year. 

Hybrid sales rose 32.1 percent from a year earlier to 138,000 units, leading the overall sales growth of the company’s electrified models. EV sales also showed strong momentum, surging 54.1 percent to 86,000 units. 

The growth was supported by an optimized powertrain strategy aligned with regional market conditions, led by strong HEV demand in the U.S. and solid EV uptake in Europe.

Electrified vehicles accounted for 29.7 percent of Kia’s global sales during the period, up 6.6 percentage points from 23.1 percent a year earlier. 

Kia anticipates that the business environment, including global trade uncertainties and intensified competition in key markets, will remain uncertain this year. In response, the company plans to focus on fundamentally strengthening profitability by improving its product mix and increasing average selling prices.

In Korea, Kia aims to continue expanding sales through its electrified vehicles – including the EV4, EV5, and PV5 – alongside the launch of the all-new Seltos Hybrid. 

In the U.S., Kia aims to increase sales of its key models, including the Telluride SUV and Carnival MPV, while further expanding its hybrid lineup. The company will also continue to respond proactively and effectively to changes in local market conditions.

In Europe, Kia plans to reinforce its electrification leadership by leveraging its full EV lineup, including the EV2, EV3, EV4, and EV5. In emerging markets, such as India and South America, the company will continue to drive sales growth through locally optimized strategic models and increased vehicle supply. 

The company also recently announced its 2030 mid- to long-term strategy at its 2026 CEO Investor Day, outlining vehicle- and region-specific exponential growth strategies and future business capabilities.