Kia Corporation announced a 2.3% rise in net profits to KRW 2,327.8 trillion (US$ 1.59 billion) for the second quarter of 2026, up from KRW 2,268.2 trillion a year earlier, with US import tariffs and higher sales incentives offset by record global vehicle deliveries. Operating profits fell by 4.9% to KRW 2,628.5 trillion.
The South Korean automaker reported a 12.6% increase in global sales revenues to a record KRW 33,037.0 trillion in the three-month period, while global wholesale deliveries rose by 4.5% to 851,639 vehicles – including 154,816 units in South Korea and 696,823 units overseas. The company was not affected by the component shortages that held back Hyundai Motor’s second-quarter results.
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Sales of electrified vehicles jumped 60% to 296,000 units, accounting for 35% of Kia’s global sales, driven by strong hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) sales in the US and higher battery electric vehicle (BEV) demand in South Korea and Europe. Total HEV retail sales rose by 61% to 178,000 units, helped by the launch of the new Telluride and Seltos models, with sales in the US surging by 152% to 66,000 units, while total BEV retail sales surged by 88% to 110,000 units.
Kia said it expects solid business results in the second half of 2026 to enable it to meet its full-year guidance, “supported by competitive new model offerings and sustained BEV and HEV demand.” The company is targeting 3.35 million global vehicle sales in 2026, supported by the launch of new BEV models in Europe and a recovery in Middle Eastern demand.
In the US, Kia said that its plans to expand production capacity of the Telluride SUV, including hybrid variants, and the ramp up of deliveries of the Sportage hybrid produced at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) will help enhance profitability.
