Kia Corporation has announced its business results for Q1 2021.The company reported a 13.8 percent year-on-year growth in quarterly revenue to KRW 16.58 trillion.

During the January to March period, Kia sold 689,990 units across global markets, a 6.4 percent increase compared to Q1 2020. Sales in Korea rose by 11.4 percent to 130,075 units, with strong sales of the company’s newer models, including the Sorento and Carnival, behind the increase.

Sales outside of Korea also saw a 5.3 percent increase, rising to 559,915 units, alongside significant growth in India. The Kia Sonet alone sold over 25,000 units in India during the first three months, contributing to a 38.3 percent year-on-year increase in Indian sales.

Revenue

* Net profit includes non-controlling interest * Tentative under K-IFRS

The company’s first-quarter operating profit more than doubled from a year earlier to KRW 1.08 trillion, with an operating profit margin of 6.5 percent. The company’s net profit also significantly increased to KRW 1.04 trillion, up 289.2 percent during the same period.

The strong performance was supported by Kia’s enhanced global product variety as well as the success of the brand’s RV models, including Telluride, Seltos, and Sorento SUVs along with the Carnival minivan. Sales of Kia’s RV models accounted for 59.7 percent of the total sales volume, the highest ever RV share and a 6.4 percentage points increase from the same period last year.

For 2021, Kia is aiming for global sales of 2.92 million units, a 12.1 percent increase compared to 2020 global sales volumes. The company is targeting domestic sales of 535,000 units and 2.39 million units for sales outside of Korea. Kia expects automobile demand to improve alongside the ongoing economic recovery from the global pandemic, but the situation is still uncertain.

In terms of chip supply issues, the company will flexibly adjust its production plans in line with supply status and preventively secure its component inventory while looking out for alternative semiconductor parts to minimise the impact on its production.

Kia will also continue to focus on implementing its mid to long-term business strategy ‘Plan S’ as well as improving sales momentum and profitability through new models, including their new K8 sedan and the company’s first dedicated electric vehicle, EV6. (MT)

Mumbai-based automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra has announced its wholesales for April 2025 at 84,170 vehicles, a growth of 19 percent, including exports.

The auto major sold a total of 52,330 SUVs in the domestic market, which was 28 percent higher than 41,008 SUVs sold for the same period last year. Commercial vehicle sales in the domestic market came at 22,989 units, which was 4 percent YoY. 

Veejay Nakra, President, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “Building on the strong momentum of last year's performance, we began the year on a strong note in April by achieving SUV sales of 52,330 units, a growth of 28 percent and total vehicle sales of 84,170 units, a 19 percent growth over the same month last year. These numbers indicate the strength of our portfolio and customer offerings.”

JSW MG Motor India, a leading passenger vehicles manufacturer, has announced its wholesales for April 2025.

The company reported sales of 5,829 units, which was 23 percent higher over April 2024, when it sold 4,725 vehicles.

Interestingly, the automaker's popular offering, the Windsor EV, has continued to be the top-selling electric passenger vehicle for the seventh month in a row.

JSW MG Motor India's Windsor EV has now gone home to over 20,000 customers.

Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest carmaker, has reported its wholesales of 179,791 units in April 2025, marking a 7 percent increase compared to 168,089 units sold in April 2024. The growth was primarily propelled by strong performance in utility vehicles and a sharp rise in export volumes.

Domestic sales, including passenger and light commercial vehicles, remained flat with 142,053 units, as compared to 140,448 units in April 2024. Within this, light commercial vehicles (LCVs) like the Super Carry saw a significant jump of 34.2 percent, with sales rising to 3,349 units from 2,496 units last year.

In the passenger vehicle segment, SUVs such as the Brezza, Ertiga, Grand Vitara and others recorded a 4.4 percent increase, selling 59,022 units compared to 56,553 in the previous year. However, sales for Eeco declined by 5.2 percent, while the mini segment (Alto, S-Presso) saw a sharp 45 percent drop, falling to 6,332 units from 11,519 units. The compact segment, which includes high-volume models like the Baleno and Swift, grew by 8.1 percent, reaching 61,591 units.

Sales to Toyota Kirloskar Motor rose sharply by 79.2 percent, from 5,481 units to 9,827 units, indicating a growing demand for cross-badged products.

The standout performer was the export segment, which surged 26 percent to 27,911 units from 22,160 units in April 2024. This strong export growth helped bolster the company’s overall numbers despite weaknesses in domestic sub-segments.

While some product lines such as the mid-size sedan Ciaz (-63 percent) continue to struggle.

Tata Motors reported total wholesales of 72,753 units for April 2025, reflecting a 6 percent year-on-year decline from 77,521 units in April 2024.

The passenger vehicle (PV) segment, including electric vehicles, accounted for 45,532 units, down 5 percent from 47,983 units in the same month last year. Within this, domestic PV sales dropped 6 percent to 45,199 units, while international business (IB) sales rose significantly to 333 units, up from 100 units. Electric vehicle sales (domestic + IB) declined 16 percent year-on-year to 5,318 units.

Commercial vehicle (CV) sales stood at 27,221 units, marking an 8 percent YoY drop from 29,538 units in April 2024. Domestic CV sales contracted 10 percent to 25,764 units, while CV exports (IB) grew 43 percent to 1,457 units. Key sub-segments like Small Commercial Vehicles (SCV) and pickups saw a steep 23 percent decline.

Despite growth in certain categories like ILMCV trucks and passenger carriers, overall sales momentum was tempered across both PV and CV segments.