A Strong Start for Kia in India
The Kia Seltos, launched on August 22, 2019, has completed six years in the Indian market and crossed an impressive sales milestone of over 7.17 lakh units by July 2025. Out of this, 5.63 lakh units were sold in India and 1.54 lakh units were exported, making it Kia India’s best-selling export model. The SUV accounts for 44% of Kia’s domestic sales (12.86 lakh units) and 54% of its exports (2.86 lakh units).
With its stylish design, feature-rich cabin, and wide range of powertrain options, the Seltos helped Kia quickly establish itself as a household name in India. The SUV was launched with multiple variants and price points, targeting tech-savvy young buyers. This strategy not only attracted attention but also gave Kia a strong push into India’s competitive SUV market.
Growth, Challenges, and the Road Ahead
In the first eight months of FY2020, Kia sold 81,717 units of the Seltos. The momentum continued even during the Covid-19 pandemic, with sales crossing 89,000 units in FY2021 and nearly 96,000 units in FY2022. The SUV touched the one lakh sales mark in FY2023 and FY2024 but slipped in FY2025, when volumes fell 27% to 72,618 units due to tough competition.
The Sonet, Kia’s compact SUV, overtook the Seltos in FY2025 with 99,805 units, becoming the company’s top-selling model. In FY2026 (April–July 2025), the Seltos is currently Kia’s third-best-selling product behind the Sonet and Carens MPV. Still, demand is showing signs of recovery, with sales crossing 6,000 units in three of the first four months of this fiscal year.
Today, Kia India has expanded far beyond the Seltos. With nine models including SUVs, MPVs, and EVs, and a strong network of 750 touchpoints in 329 cities, Kia has become one of the top five carmakers in India. The Seltos, the model that started it all, continues to play a central role in Kia’s success story.
