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Might’s outcomes are mainly only a rehash of April’s gross sales figures, in that Kia set data for EV gross sales final month too, and like April the K5, the discontinued Rio, and the Soul had been the first causes for Kia’s gross sales decline (although in Might the Seltos was additionally down by 13%, but that appears a momentary blip as far as its year-to-date gross sales are up in comparison with final 12 months). One factor that’s uncommon and price calling out in Kia’s gross sales numbers for Might is that we are able to work out precisely what number of Niro EVs Kia bought final month (by subtracting the full variety of EV9s (2,187) and EV6s (2,660) bought from the full variety of EVs Kia bought). That determine for the Niro EV is… drumroll please… 2,350 models! That implies that the Niro EV truly outsold the EV9 final month and that EV9 bought the bottom variety of all Kia EV fashions (regardless that it was the most effective gross sales month for the EV9 thus far).
That didn’t cease Kia from selecting to steer with the EV9’s gross sales trajectory although, which is fascinating. I don’t know if 2,350 models bought, or nearly 56% of all Niro fashions bought in Might, is the most effective gross sales outcomes the Niro EV has ever seen as a result of Kia doesn’t get away the completely different Niro fashions gross sales figures sometimes (nor does it get away electrified gross sales for different fashions that even have gasoline tanks), however I’ve a reasonably robust hunch it’s not less than probably the greatest, if not the most effective month the Niro EV has ever had within the US. It is because the common % of whole Niro gross sales that the EV mannequin takes is normally estimated to be between 30% and 40%.
Why Kia isn’t celebrating the Niro EV’s gross sales success too is past me, however maybe it’s just because the EV9 and EV6 are extra worthwhile automobiles for the model or maybe it’s as a result of the Niro has a gasoline powered variant (the usual hybrid or HEV mannequin) and Kia merely views the variants as completely different trims that don’t warrant separate gross sales name outs. Regardless, if Kia had been to maintain up comparable month-to-month EV gross sales for the remainder of the 12 months, they might promote over 72,000 EVs within the US this 12 months. That will most likely be greater than double the variety of EVs they possible bought final 12 months. I determine that could be overly optimistic, however with the return of federal incentives for the EV9 now that it’s being assembled within the US, the power of Niro and EV6 gross sales, and the launch of the EV3 compact SUV later this 12 months, Kia might actually get near that determine if all goes nicely.
Sticking nearer to figures we might be extra sure about, this implies Kia has possible bought round 23,000 – 24,000 EVs within the US by way of the primary 5 months of the 12 months. That doesn’t put them too far behind Ford (at over 37,200 EVs) bought this 12 months, and Ford is presently the 2nd greatest promoting model, after Tesla, although GM might pull off a shock by later this 12 months if it retains promoting as lots of their varied manufacturers as they did final month and lately. To be honest, GM is a household of manufacturers akin to Hyundai, Kia and Genesis or extra so Ford and Lincoln, so it could be extra correct to match Chevrolet solely to Ford, or Kia, solely. Regardless, if certainly one of these manufacturers doesn’t handle on their very own to change into the second to promote over 100,000 EVs within the US in a calendar 12 months, after Tesla, then certainly one of these model households nearly actually will.
Are you out there for a brand new EV, or maybe a brand new to you EV? Of the manufacturers vying for second place in gross sales, which if any are most interesting to you and why? Please depart your questions and feedback beneath.
Photographs courtesy of Kia.
Justin Hart has owned and pushed electrical automobiles for over 16 years, together with a primary technology Nissan LEAF, second technology Chevy Volt, Tesla Mannequin 3, an electrical bicycle and most lately a Kia Sorento PHEV. He’s additionally an avid SUP rider, poet, photographer and wine lover. He enjoys taking lengthy EV and PHEV highway journeys to stunning and serene locations with the folks he loves. Observe Justin on Torque Information Kia or X for normal electrical and hybrid information protection.
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