Sales of Kia’s electric and hybrid cars increased 20.8% in Europe in the first quarter of 2020, despite the overall decline in the new car market.

Kia’s battery electric vehicles, the e-Niro and e-Soul/Soul EV, accounted for 32% of all its electrified vehicle sales in Q1 2020; up from 22% in 2019

Figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) show a total of 21,340 electrified Kia models – hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles – were registered in the first three months of the year, equating to 15% of total electrified sales in Europe.

Kia also captured its highest-ever share of the European market during the first quarter, up to 3.7%. Although the brand’s sales fell some 14.5%, the decline was smaller than the 26.3% seen in the wider European automotive sector, boosting Kia’s market share from the 3.2% seen in Q1 2019.

Emilio Herrera, chief operating officer for Kia Motors Europe, commented: “The first three months of 2020 have been challenging for the whole industry due to social distancing and lockdown measures adopted across many European markets. However, we have seen growing sales for Kia’s range of hybrid and electric cars – every electrified model line we sell in Europe has seen sales growth this quarter. The arrival of new plug-in hybrid models, improved availability of EVs, and an expanded Ceed model family has also boosted our sales and market share this quarter.”