Kia Philippines achieved a record-breaking 34 percent increase in sales in 2022 as compared to 2021, outpacing the local automotive industry’s 26 percent growth and besting growth in other Kia units in the Asia Pacific region.
Kia Philippines led by its President Manny Aligada announced the dual achievements during the recent Kia Dealer Appreciation Night for its dealer principals who helped the brand achieve significant milestones for 2022. The event was also a celebration of its fourth anniversary as Kia a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Ayala Corp.
The Kia Asia Pacific (K-APAC) also reported that Kia Philippines achieved the highest growth rate in the Asia Pacific region, as well as being the Number 1 independent distributor in retail sales in 2022 in this part of the world. Overall customer satisfaction has the highest improvement as well in the region, based on surveys conducted by K-APAC.
From 30 dealers in 2018, Kia Philippines grew to 42 dealers in 2022. Aligada said nationwide network expansion will continue.
Soon, all 42 Kia dealerships nationwide will have refreshed exteriors, and by next year all will share Kia's revamped interior design aesthetic. Newly appointed Kia dealers will also proudly display the new corporate identity. This is in line with Kia’s fresh new look—which is showcased by its lineup of stunning vehicles.
This March, Kia’s “Movement that Inspires” will officially launch Kia’s first dedicated battery electric vehicle with the EV6–the perfect embodiment of Kia’s technology and innovation. The Kia EV6 and its supporting charging ecosystem provided by various organizations nationwide represent a pivotal shift into the electric vehicle market.
The top-performing dealer groups who were commended during the event are industry veterans Gateway Motors, Wheels Inc., Iconic Dealerships Inc., Traders of the Laus Group, and Grand Canyon. New partners Autohub Group, Wheeltek, and Prime Legacy were also welcomed during the gathering.
The Kia Philippines story as an Ayala company began in January 2019 when the brand was relaunched with the Soluto as the very first all-new model introduced. Shortly after this, the all-new Stinger and the refreshed Forte were highlighted at the Manila International Auto Show that year. In November of the same year, the all-new Seltos was introduced.
At the height of the pandemic in 2020, the Stonic, famously known as "The Style That’s Iconic," made history and has continued to be Kia’s best-selling model in the Philippines. In 2021, together with the new Kia brand identity “Movement that Inspires,” the all-new Sorento was introduced. By early 2022, Kia introduced the all-new Carnival.