Hyundai, Kia Set New Sales Record in Europe

Hyundai and affiliate Kia achieved record sales in Europe in the first half of this year.

According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) on Sunday, the two Korean automakers combined sold 556,369 cars in the region in the first six months of this year, up 12.6 percent on-year. The previous record was set in the first half of 2018, when they sold 555,062 cars.

Analysts attribute the stellar performance to the popularity of their new electric cars. Kia's EV6 won the European Car of the Year Award earlier this year, while Hyundai's Ioniq 5 was chosen as Car of the Year in Germany and the U.K. 

Overall cars sales in Europe plunged 13.7 percent on-year in the first half to 5.6 million vehicles, and Hyundai and Kia were the only one among the top five players in the region to see sales increase.

Their European market share increased from 7.6 percent in 2021 to 9.9 percent this year, surpassing Renault (9.3 percent) to rank third. First was Volkswagen Group (24.1 percent), followed by Stellantis (19.4 percent).

Their bestseller was the Kia Ceed (78,890 cars) followed by the Kia Sportage (72,400).