Kia motors zooms to a new record for car sales in Europe during the fist six months of the year.

• A record 229,585 Kia cars registered in Europe over first half of 2016
• 20 per cent of total EU sales came from the UK
• European-built models integral to Kia’s 14.8 per cent year-to-date sales growth
• Kia expands on best-ever Q1 with 118,837-unit second quarter

Kia Motors has posted its best ever quarterly and half-year European sales, according to the latest data from ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association).

During the first half of 2016, Kia sold 229,585 units. This is the best-ever six-month period documented by the Korean brand in Europe and a 14.8 per cent uplift on the 200,038 vehicles it sold during the same period last year. Kia’s first-half sales performance equated to a 2.8 per cent European market share, compared to 2.7 per cent for the same period in 2015.

Kia sold 118,837 vehicles across Europe during the second quarter of the year, even more than the record first quarter of 2016 (110,748), marking a new quarterly sales record for the brand.

Michael Cole, Chief Operating Officer of Kia Motors Europe, commented: “2016 continues to be a year of sustained growth and success for Kia in Europe. Consecutive record quarters underline how Kia is increasingly seen by consumers and fleet buyers as a producer of high quality, high value vehicles. Our latest models are further broadening Kia’s appeal and we remain firmly on course to achieve an eighth consecutive year of sales growth in Europe.”

The UK was the best performing market in Europe, with Kia Motors (Uk) Ltd contributing 46,343 units across the first part of 2016, which is a massive 20.19 per cent of Kia Europe’s record-breaking sales result.

European-built models integral to Kia’s sales growth

Kia’s first half growth has been driven by strong sales of the Sportage compact SUV, cee’d model family (comprising five-door hatchback, Sportswagon and pro_cee’d), and Venga B-MPV, each built at the company’s European production facility in Žilina, Slovakia. Sales of Kia’s three European-built model lines have grown by 21 per cent year-on-year, with 134,681 sold in the first half of 2016.

In particular, the all-new Sportage maintains its place as Kia’s best-selling model in Europe. 56,126 units of the new model have been sold across Europe in just four months, since going on sale in Q1. This exceeds sales of its predecessor, 56,002 of which were sold during the first six months of 2015. Combined sales of the new Sportage and its predecessor this year stand at 77,970 units. Half-year sales of the recently upgraded cee’d model line-up have also grown year-on-year, from 40,090 in 2015 to 42,291 in 2016 (+six percent).

Year-to-date, Kia’s European production now accounts for 59 per cent of the brand’s sales in Europe, a number which has risen from 56 per cent during the same six-month period last year.

In the UK, 22,000 units of the all-new Sportage have been sold since 5 February 2016. This is a contribution of 39 per cent to the total European sales of the new 4x4 and the Optima is also performing 31 per cent up on its expected sales in the UK.

Sales growth across the line-up

Kia’s other B- and C-segment cars have also contributed to the brand’s expansion across Europe, with sales of the Rio supermini growing seven per cent year-on-year (to 35,370 units), and combined sales of the Kia Soul and Soul EV reaching 7,612 so far this year (up 8 per cent year-on-year). In particular, sales of the Kia Soul EV have grown by 69 per cent as increasing numbers of consumers across Europe switch on to the benefits of owning a vehicle with low running costs, a zero-emissions battery electric powertrain and Kia’s typical design flair.

Honda is the fastest growing mainstream car brand in Europe halfway through 2016

• Honda is the fastest growing mainstream car brand in Europe halfway through 2016
• Total sales of 88,242 units to the end of June secures 33.5 per cent growth compared to same period in 2015
• Strong demand driven by refreshed Civic range and the introduction of all-new HR-V and Jazz
• Strong growth rates across main European markets including Italy (+118.9%) , Germany (+50.1%) and Spain (+45.4%).

Following a strong start to 2016, Honda’s European sales have taken a further step up in the second quarter. A full refresh of its car range in 2015 has made it the fastest growing mainstream car brand in Europe.

Honda recorded total sales in EU and EFTA countries of 88,242 units*, an increase of 33.5 per cent compared to 2015. This performance was driven by the reintroduction of the HR-V crossover, delivering 19,485** registrations. Meanwhile, the Jazz supermini saw a 19.9** per cent increase in registrations with particularly strong demand from the Italian market (+132 per cent). The Civic range also saw an increase of 8.3 per cent, supported by the introduction of the new Type R.

All five of the main car markets in Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain) saw sales increase for the Honda brand. Italy continued its strong growth in 2016 with a 118.9 per cent increase**, making it Honda’s third largest European market.

Jean-Marc Streng, General Manager, Automobile Division, Honda Motor Europe, commented, “We’re pleased to see the strong start to 2016 sales transfer into sustained growth in the second quarter. What is even more encouraging is the broad base of Honda’s resurgence, with sales increases in all five major European car markets. We continue to hold a healthy customer order bank and feel confident that this positive trend is set to continue.”

Official sales figures, June YTD (provided by ACEA)
Honda Europe (excl. Russia, Turkey and Ukraine)	88,242	+33.5%
Honda sales by major European market June YTD (Internal Honda registration data)
UK	32,482	+17.4%
Germany	14,716	+50.1%
France	4,632	+39.9%
Italy	5,122	+118.9%
Spain	5,003	+45.4%

EUROEPAN SALES FIRST HALF - Infiniti has it's best ever June and the first half are up in the EU by 177%

• Infiniti in Europe: Best June – 154% sales increase over June 2015, and best H1 – 177% up compared to the first half of 2015
• Q30 as best-selling Infiniti model in Europe ever with 6,438 models sold in H1/2016

Infiniti finished the first half of 2016 with a new sales record. In Europe, the car manufacturer sold 9,535 vehicles in the past six months – up 177% over the same period last year. 1,586 vehicles were sold across the continent only in June – marking an increase of 154%. 

Across the highly competitive EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, Africa) 16,251 Infiniti cars were sold in the first half of 2016 – up 45% compared to the results from the same period of 2015. 

In June 2,838 customers have bought a new Infiniti in EMEA – 46% more than in June 2015. Strongest model in Europe was again the premium active compact Infiniti Q30, which found 6,438 customers year-to-date.

Within Europe Infiniti was most successful in France: During this year, 2,190 Infiniti cars have been sold across the country so far – an increase of 260% in comparison to the same period of the year before. 

In June, sales went up to 448 vehicles – more than twice as many as in June 2015. In the UK, in the first half of 2016, 1,565 customers chose a new Infiniti – an increase of 157% over the first half of 2015. In June, 569 cars were sold in the UK, which corresponds an increase of 447%. 

In Italy, since January, 1,119 cars were sold, almost five times as much as in the same time frame of 2015, when 192 cars were sold there. In June, 277 customers have bought a new Infiniti, up 889% versus June 2015. With 1,208 vehicles cars sold, Infiniti in Germany was able to increase its sales by 152% compared to H1 of 2015. 

Furthermore, in June 124 vehicles were sold, making up an increase of 51% comparing to June 2015. 

“We are very proud of the sales achievements we have made in 2016 this far. The results highlight the trust that customers have in our vehicles. 

With the QX30 premium active crossover, the newly upgraded Q50 sports sedan and the all-new Q60 premium sports coupe to be launched later this year, we are confident to continue our success in Europe”, said François Goupil de Bouillé, Vice President of Infiniti Europe, Middle East and Africa. 

Worldwide Infiniti sold more than 110,200 vehicles in the first half of 2016, which corresponds to an increase of 7% over the same period last year. 

In the month of June, more than 19,300 cars were sold, up 15% versus June 2015, and in the second quarter of the year (April-June), Infiniti set a new record with almost 53,000 vehicles sold representing an increase of 4%

HALF YEAR SALES - Porsche continues to grow with the USA and the crossover models helping keep the growth coming.

• Consistent growth in the United States

With 117,963 new vehicle deliveries worldwide, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG is up three percent in the first half of 2016 compared to the previous year. Delivering 26,708 vehicles, Porsche Cars North America, Inc. saw a six percent increase compared to the first half of 2015 and ranks among the markets with the highest growth compared to last year. 

These figures meet the expectations of Detlev von Platen, Member of the Executive Board of Management - Sales and Marketing. He emphasized that the high levels achieved in the previous year also determined the objective for 2016. 

"In 2016, consolidating sales in our markets will be of primary importance. With the USA, China and Europe as strong sales regions, Porsche is in a very strong position for the future and is to a large extent independent of the volatility of individual markets", von Platen continued.

The Cayman and the Boxster contributed to this growth significantly: with 6,115 new vehicle deliveries for Cayman and 6,740 for Boxster worldwide, both vehicles are clearly recording double-digit growth rates. 

Compared with the same period last year, the Macan saw an increase of 11 percent with a total of 45,086 new vehicle deliveries, while the 911 registered 18,579 vehicle deliveries (+10 percent). As a result of the upcoming model change, Panamera sales remained lower than the level achieved in the previous year. 

"The feedback following the world premiere of the new Panamera at the end of June has been unequivocally positive, so we are very optimistic about this. We are anticipating a significant boost from this model", stated von Platen.

Porsche Cars North America Chief Executive Officer, Klaus Zellmer, holds a positive outlook for the future as the US market recorded twice the growth rate of the global average. 

"Our loyal customer base and professional dealer network continue to respond positively to our latest 911 and 718 models. We look forward to the second half of 2016 and also to the start of 2017 when the new Panamera will arrive in dealer showrooms in January", commented Zellmer.

	1st Half 2016	1st Half 2015	Difference (%)
World	117,963	113,984	+ 3.5%
Europe	40,646	38,689	+ 5.1%
Germany	15,299	15,061	+ 1.6%
America	31,912	30,119	+ 6.0%
USA	26,708	25,138	+ 6.2%
Asia Pacific, Africa and Middle East	45,405	45,176	+ 0.5%
China	30,440	29,355	+ 3.7%

WORLDWIDE SALES FIRST HALF - Infiniti finish the first six months with new sales records, new models and more to come.

• Best June for Infiniti globally and key regions
• 7 percent growth in global sales year to date
• New sales record for Q2 (April-June)

Infiniti finished the first half of 2016 with a new sales record. The company sold more than 110,200 vehicles, an increase of 7 percent over the same period last year. In the month of June, more than 19,300 vehicles were sold, up 15 percent versus June 2015, and in the second quarter of the year (April-June), Infiniti set a new record with almost 53,000 vehicles sold representing an increase of 4 percent.

This marks the best ever June for Infiniti sales globally and in several key markets including Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Western Europe, China and Australia.

Year to date, Infiniti had record sales for the Americas (U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Latin America) along with Canada and Mexico individually, Western Europe, Middle East, Asia & Oceania ("A&O"), Korea and Australia.

Western Europe sold close to 1,600 vehicles in June, which is an increase of more than 150 percent over June 2015. Year to date, more than 9,500 vehicles were sold, up 177 percent from the same period last year.

In the Americas, sold almost 12,300 vehicles in June – 11 percent more than in June 2015. Year to date, approximately 72,100 vehicles were sold, an increase of 2 percent from the same period last year.

In Asia and Oceania (Australia, Korea, Taiwan and other markets), Infiniti sold 540 vehicles in June, which is an increase of 14 percent over the same month last year. For the first half of 2016, Infiniti sold almost 3,300 vehicles, which is an increase of 25 percent over the same period the previous year.

In June, Infiniti set a new record for China with 3,700 vehicles sold, 12 percent up from June 2015. Year to date, Infiniti sold more than 18,600 vehicles in China, a slight drop of 2 percent from the same period last year due to product availability in April and May.

"Infiniti continues to deliver strong results," said Roland Krueger, president of Infiniti Motor Company. "I'd like to thank our customers around the world who made Infiniti their trusted choice. With new products such as the QX30 and the Q60 coming on stream, we are very confident about our prospects in the second half."