Kia plans more EVs as India sales shift into top gear

New Delhi - Kia Corp, a South Korean automaker, plans to expand its manufacturing capacity in India to meet rising domestic sales and overseas demand. In the first seven months of 2026, Kia achieved a 17% growth in sales volume, reaching 191,949 vehicles. The company aims to sell 410,000 vehicles annually by 2030, according to Atul Sood, senior vice-president of marketing and sales at Kia India.

Sood stated that the company's sales increased by 15% last year and are on track to close the current year with a strong double-digit growth in volumes. The target market share is projected at 7.6%. In the long term, Kia is exploring options to expand its manufacturing capacity to serve the domestic market and boost exports.

Currently, Kia can produce up to 430,000 vehicles annually at its facility in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh. The company plans to introduce 10 new vehicles in India, eight of which will be electric. Sood noted that while internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles will remain a part of their strategy, the company is making significant strides in electrifying its portfolio.

India is the fourth-largest market for Kia, accounting for 10% of its global sales. Kia's sales in India surged by 90% year-on-year from March to July 2026, with the share of electric vehicles in new car sales rising to 7.8% in July 2026 from 4% in 2025. The automaker is also expanding its pan-India network, entering more Tier 3 and Tier 4 cities, as rural India's purchasing power is on the rise.