South Korean automaker Kia is experiencing its best sales period since it began sales in 1962. The company has officially revealed its delivery results for the first half of 2026, and the figures set an absolute global record: more than 1.63 million cars sold (1,630,988 units to be exact) in just six months. The performance marks the best first half in the brand's history, directly fueled by the global appetite for SUVs and the success of its electrification strategy.
With these solid results, Kia is on track to meet its ambitious annual target of delivering 3.35 million vehicles by the end of 2026. The stakes are huge, given that last year (2025) already represented a historic record for the brand, with a total of 3.13 million units sold worldwide.
The model analysis clearly shows where the brand’s commercial success is concentrated. The Kia Sportage maintains its status as the manufacturer’s best-selling model, generating an impressive volume of 303,203 units delivered worldwide in the first half of the year.
Second place is occupied by the Kia Seltos, with 177,148 units sold, an extremely popular compact SUV that has now reached the European market to replicate its success in Asia and North America. The global podium is completed by another large SUV, the Kia Sorento, preferred for its space and high-performance hybrid engines, which recorded 125,283 units sold worldwide.
In Romania, the dynamics of the automotive market in the first half of 2026 are marked by extremely tight competition and a rapid reconfiguration of customer preferences, which are massively migrating from classic gasoline and pure diesel engines to hybrid and electric vehicles. According to registration data from the first six months of the year, the local market is dominated in volume by manufacturers such as Dacia, Toyota, Skoda and Volkswagen, but Kia maintains an extremely solid position in the preferences of domestic retail customers.
The Kia Sportage continues to be the brand's flagship locally, being a highly visible model in Romanian traffic and considered an absolute benchmark for price, features and performance in the compact SUV segment. The hybrid (HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions of the Sportage are the most sought after by Romanian customers due to their excellent value for money and the renowned 7-year warranty offered by the manufacturer.
In addition to the consolidated commercial success of the Sportage, Kia's presence in Romania is also supported by the expansion of its electric range in 2026. The models in the EV family, as well as the market launch of new affordable urban versions, are quickly capturing the attention of the Romanian public who want a sustainable transition, propelling the South Korean manufacturer among the top options of pragmatic buyers.