Kia has been stepping on the sales accelerator; even as Tesla continues grabbing most of the headlines. The company’s sales boomed in the spring and summer of 2022, both in the U.S and Europe.
Kia’s May 2022 EV sales rose 132% year over year, far outpacing its ICE vehicle sales. Monthly EV sales growth accelerated even more by August, soaring 151% year-over-year.
Kia’s vehicles currently don’t meet any of the new tax credit’s benchmarks. A Korean automaker association petitioned Congress for a South Korean exemption to the rule, The Korea Herald reports.
For the moment, it looks like Tesla may keep the EV crown in the USA despite Kia’s momentum. However, with its proven popularity, Kia could still emerge as the next Tesla; if it maneuvers out of its tax credit handicap, that is.
Kia intends to eventually switch over to manufacturing nothing but EVs. However, the timeline has not been defined.