Kia Ecuador, the best-selling brand in the SUV segment in 2022

Due to their size, space, height and comfort, SUVs (sports utility vehicles) are the cars that are gaining more and more followers among Ecuadorians. According to the Association of Automotive Companies of Ecuador, this segment is the best-selling since 2020 in our country, surpassing sedans.

In 2021, the offer of SUVs was 50,254 and in 2022, only from January to November, the figure reached 58,751, with 45.71% of total sales in the automotive sector.

José Antonio Errázuriz, commercial director of Kia, mentions that the preference of users when purchasing a vehicle is clear, with a greater acceptance of its Sonet, Stonic, Seltos and Sportage models. “We have a total brand share of 15.5% in the market versus 10.3% for the second competitor.”

The executive also highlights that Kia is consolidating in the sale of hybrid vehicles with a 40% share, with the Kia Stonic as the best-selling hybrid SUV.

Kia growth and projections

Three years ago, Kia Corporation made public its strategic commitment to become the leader in sustainable mobility by 2030. Its ambitious ‘Kia 3S Plan’ strategy speaks to its vision with a focus on sustainable mobility, energy and planet.

Errázuriz indicates that the brand also announced its four key business goals through 2030: accelerate electrification and achieve annual sales of 1.2 million battery electric vehicles (BEVs); achieve 4 million annual vehicle sales, including more than 2 million eco-friendly models; expand the application of connected car and autonomous driving functions; and, to become the number one brand in the world market for specially designed vehicles (PBV – purpose built vehicles).

Kia establishes itself in Ecuador

The South Korean automotive brand ponders its value proposition “Footprint for a better future”, consolidating itself as a leader in sustainable mobility and in the sale of hybrid vehicles in recent years. “We have increased the portfolio with vehicles with eco-friendly characteristics, with the aim of continuing to reduce CO2 emissions and the use of fossil fuels”, mentions Errázuriz.

Among Kia’s most requested models are the All-new Niro and All-new K5 (formerly Optima) hybrids, and the 100% electric All-new Soul EV and EV6, these last two models are flagships to transform mobility in our country .

international awards

EV6:

– Winner of the European Car of the Year 2022.

– Winner of the Red Dot Award 2022.

– Manufacturer of the year at the awards topgear.com.

– Finalist in American Utility Vehicle of the Year.

All New Sportage:

– Winner of the car of the year 2023 in Greece.

– Winner of the ABC Auto of the year 2023.

All New Niro:

– Finalist in the European car of the year 2023.

– Winner of the Golden Steering Wheel 2002.

“Our cars have characteristics that make them unique and have the highest technology and safety innovations known as advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), among which stand out autonomous emergency braking, assistant of forward collisions with detection of pedestrians, cyclists, children and crossroads, adaptive cruise control, maintenance and lane following, blind spot sensor and monitor, cross traffic alert and parking sensor, among others”, explains Errázuriz.