With 80,502 units sold in May, fast-growing Kia America continues to reach new heights led by sales through Kia retailers, which increased 11 percent over May 2025, beating the previous retail record set in August 2025.
In addition, Kia achieved a new year-to-date overall sales record of 360,220 total units sold through the first five months of the year, marking a 2 percent increase over the first five months of 2025.
Eric Watson, vice president, sales operations, Kia America, stated even as consumer preferences continue to evolve, Kia continues to break retail, monthly, and year-to-date sales records thanks to its wide range of ICE, hybrid, and electrified models.
With five consecutive months of record-breaking sales, the flagship 2027 Telluride continues to shatter all initial expectations. Traffic to showrooms nationwide is growing, and Kia is confident the momentum will carry through the first half of the year and beyond despite recent economic challenges.
Flagship Models Achieve Sales Milestones
Three of Kia’s most popular models including Telluride (+18 percent), Carnival (+16 percent), and Sportage (+6 percent) set best-ever May sales records. The second-generation Telluride also set a best-ever any-month sales record and achieved five consecutive months of record-breaking sales.
Telluride reached 13,665 units in May, building on year-to-date total of 62,170 units, up from 52,263 units in the same period 2025. Sportage led volume with 18,405 units in May and 78,912 units year-to-date, while Carnival posted 8,062 units in May with 33,082 units year-to-date.
Hybrid Portfolio Reaches Historic Growth
Kia’s hybrid models saw significant growth with Sportage Hybrid (+171 percent), Sorento Hybrid (+101 percent), and Carnival Hybrid (+32 percent) each achieving best-ever May sales records. Carnival Hybrid also set its best-ever any-month sales record.
Overall, Kia’s hybrid models grew 179 percent, delivering highest monthly and best-ever May year-to-date sales totals in company history.
Electrified Vehicle Category Expansion
Kia’s electrified models delivered 133 percent growth, marking highest monthly and best-ever May year-to-date sales totals in company history. The EV9 posted 1,647 units in May, up sharply from 37 units in May 2025, reaching 5,736 units year-to-date. The EV6 recorded 708 units in May with year-to-date sales of 3,459 units.
World Cup Mobility Partnership
As Official Mobility Partner of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Kia provided a total of 660 vehicles, supplying key models—including Telluride, Sportage, Carnival, Sorento, K4, K4 Hatchback, and Niro—to support seamless operations across 2026 FIFA World Cup host nations in North America, including the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Environmental Initiative and Award Recognition
Kia Corporation and its global mission partner The Ocean Cleanup, the non-profit organization dedicated to ridding the world’s oceans of plastic pollution, announced plans to expand operations in Greater Los Angeles to intercept plastic waste flowing from rivers into the Pacific Ocean.
The project is scheduled for completion ahead of the LA28 Olympic Games and has secured backing from Los Angeles County officials, the City of Long Beach, and the City of Seal Beach.
Kia’s all-new 2027 Telluride X-Pro was named the best three-row family SUV by the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) after competing in the association’s annual Mudfest event.
The annual competition brings together NWAPA journalist members from across the region to evaluate a wide variety of the industry’s SUVs based on off-road and everyday driving conditions.
KIA America, Additional Model Sales Summary
K4/Forte recorded 12,592 units in May with year-to-date sales of 63,026 units. K5 posted 6,673 units in May with year-to-date sales of 32,016 units.
Sorento reached 10,127 units in May with year-to-date sales of 40,746 units. Seltos achieved 5,843 units in May with year-to-date sales of 25,877 units. Niro recorded 2,773 units in May with year-to-date sales of 11,719 units.