Kia reveals plan to hit new UK sales record in 2010

Friday, 23 July 2010

Kia expects to increase its year-end sales by as much as 10 per cent as the brand improves its share of the post scrappage retail market.

Last year the brand sold 50,637 cars in the UK with scrappage accounting for just under half of its sales. Speaking to Motor Trader managing director Michael Cole (pictured) said the brand was on course to beat last year's record as its retail sales had increased since the scheme finished at the end of March.

Growing brand
"We're the fastest growing car brand in the UK and we've continued to grow without scrappage. Last year we had a 2.1 per cent market share without scrappage, this year it has grown to 3.2 per cent," he said.

Cole said scrappage helped accelerate the brand's planned growth in the UK and he believes the position is sustainable through the roll out of new product.

"Scrappage gave us a boost and has moved us on a couple of years. It's attracted customers and dealers. Last year we sold over 50,000 units and we'll grow that by 5-10 per cent this year. In two years time we'll be a 3 per cent volume brand," he said.

Network
Cole wishes to increase the size of his dealer network from 157 to 170 outlets and is targeting key metropolitan centres to help achieve the brand's growth plans. He confirmed he already has a partner for the long standing open point in Croydon but is still searching for premises. The brand also wants representation in Solihull and south west Manchester.

"We need 170 dealers to achieve a true geographical spread; that's our aspiration for the medium term," he said.

Dealers this year have benefitted from the arrival of the all-new Venga mini-MPV and a new version of the top of the range Sorrento 4X4. The brand is preparing its network for four new models over the next 12 months.

New products
First up is the all-new Sportage which is being marketed as its first crossover vehicle. The brand has secured some early right hand drive production and started selling a limited edition of 800 fully specced First Edition models from 1 August with the full range being rolled out in November. It expects to more than double its annual sales from 4,000 to 10,000 units.

Next year sees the launch of the Rio replacement and all-new versions of the Picanto and Magentis.