Kia Posts Record Sales and Revenue in 2025, Profits Drop on Tariffs
Kia achieved its highest-ever annual sales of 3,135,873 units and record revenue of KRW 114.1 trillion in 2025, but operating profit fell 28.3% due to tariffs and higher incentives.
3,135,873 units
KRW 114.1 trillion
28.3%
What Happened
Kia's 2025 annual report shows a mixed performance: record global sales of 3.14 million units (up 1.5%) and all-time high revenue of KRW 114.1 trillion (up 6.2%), but operating profit dropped 28.3% to KRW 9.08 trillion. Net profit also fell 22.8% to KRW 7.6 trillion. The company's operating profit margin stood at 8%, down from the previous year.
Electrified vehicle sales surged 17.4% in 2025 to 749,000 units, representing 24.2% of total sales. Hybrids (HEVs) led with 454,000 units (up 23.7%), followed by EVs at 238,000 units (up 18.9%). In Q4 alone, electrified vehicle retail sales reached 186,000 units, a 13.2% year-over-year increase.
- Aim for global sales of 3.35 million units, a 6.8% increase from 2025.
- Launch all-new Telluride and Seltos with hybrid variants in the U.S.; roll out EV2 in Europe and new Seltos in India.
- Target revenue of KRW 122.3 trillion, operating profit of KRW 10.2 trillion, and an 8.3% operating profit margin.
Why this matters
The results highlight Kia's growth in electrified vehicles, which accounted for 24.2% of sales, while demonstrating the impact of global trade barriers on profitability.
Terms in This Story
- HEV
- Hybrid Electric Vehicle, combining a gasoline engine with an electric motor for improved fuel efficiency.
- PHEV
- Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, a hybrid that can be charged externally for a limited all-electric range.
- EV
- Electric Vehicle, powered solely by an electric battery with no internal combustion engine.
- ASP
- Average Selling Price, the typical price at which a vehicle is sold.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.