END OF YEAR UK - KIA - Another year of record sales as Kia outperforms the market.

• Kia records best-ever 89,364 sales in 2016
• Kia out-performs new car market with near 14 per cent growth
• Sportage continues to lead demand
• New Niro and Optima Sportswagon make positive starts

Kia Motors (UK) Limited set yet another new record in 2016 with sales for the year totalling 89,363 a 13.8 per cent growth compared to 2015’s record total of 78,489.

With Sportage, Picanto, cee’d, Rio and Venga continuing to lead Kia’s performance table the brand saw its sales split almost equally between retail and fleet. 

Private customers accounted for 49 per cent of the total – a much stronger performance than the overall market where fleet sales take 57.4 per cent with private customers representing just 38 per cent of sales.

Launched during the second half of the year Kia’s new hybrid SUV – the Kia Niro – and its Optima Sportswagon both contributed positively with the Sportswagon helping Optima sales double and Niro establishing itself well amongst both retail and fleet customers.

Paul Philpott, President and Chief Executive said: “The new car market has done well in 2016 – growing overall by two per cent, but I am proud and excited that we have delivered 14 per cent growth in what has been a very competitive market.

“Our dedicated and enthusiastic 187-strong dealer network along with attractive new products such as the latest Sportage, Niro and Optima Sportswagon continue to win new customers for the brand. And we have even more new products to come in 2017 – so although the market is expected to decline by around five per cent, I believe we are well-placed to continue our growth pattern towards our stated aim of 100,000 cars per year,” he added.