Kia ranks second in UK car sales for January-August, behind Volkswagen
In short
Kia sold 76,850 vehicles in the UK in January-August of this year, up 2.3% from a year earlier and second only to Volkswagen’s 111,830, according to the UK’s SMMT. The Sportage accounted for about 40% of Kia’s UK volume with 30,564 units, second by model behind the Ford Puma. Kia has now topped 100,000 UK sales a year for four consecutive years and, the reports said, could extend that run.
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Kia sold 76,850 vehicles in the UK in the first eight months of the year, up 2.3% from the same period a year earlier and second only to Volkswagen’s 111,830 units, according to the UK’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). BMW followed with 76,074 units, then Audi with 71,904 and Ford with 71,050, the reports said. Yonhap reported that Kia was the only Asian brand in the UK top five and moved up one place from a year earlier. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The Sportage accounted for the bulk of that volume. Kia’s compact SUV sold 30,564 units in the UK, second by model behind the Ford Puma with 35,968, or about 40% of Kia’s UK sales. Yonhap reported the Sportage has been named a “family SUV” for four consecutive years at the UK’s What Car? Awards, cited for its practical interior, driving performance and reasonable price. [ 1 , 2 ]
The result extends a multi-year build-up in the UK. Kia sold 100,191 vehicles there in 2022, 107,765 in 2023, 112,252 in 2024 and 113,436 in 2025, four consecutive years above 100,000 units. Yonhap said that if the current pace holds to the end of the year, Kia could reach a fifth straight year above 100,000 and set an annual sales record; the Seoul Economic Daily said the 100,000 mark should be passed without difficulty. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
The UK is one of Europe’s largest car markets and the birthplace of brands including Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Jaguar Land Rover. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), UK sales in January-August totalled 1,388,736 vehicles, a 15.1% share of the European market and the second largest in Europe after Germany’s 1,965,024 units and 21.4% share. [ 1 , 2 ]
A Kia official said the company is achieving good results in the UK, described as one of Europe’s largest car markets, and added that Kia will strengthen its position by launching new cars with strong competitiveness. The Dong-A Ilbo, in a feed summary, also noted that Kia sold more vehicles than Hyundai in South Korea in the third quarter. [ 1 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The UK is Europe’s second-largest car market after Germany, so a second-place brand ranking there is a visible measure of Kia’s standing against European volume and premium brands. The reports frame the result as part of a steady multi-year expansion in the UK rather than a one-off gain. The documents do not give the effect on Kia’s financial results.
Key facts
- Kia sold 76,850 vehicles in the UK in January-August 2026, up 2.3% year on year, second behind Volkswagen’s 111,830. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- BMW was third with 76,074 units, followed by Audi with 71,904 and Ford with 71,050. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Kia was the only Asian brand in the UK top five, moving up one place from a year earlier, Yonhap reported. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The Sportage sold 30,564 units in the UK, second by model behind the Ford Puma (35,968) and about 40% of Kia’s UK volume. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Kia sold 100,191 vehicles in the UK in 2022, 107,765 in 2023, 112,252 in 2024 and 113,436 in 2025, four straight years above 100,000. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The UK market totalled 1,388,736 vehicles in January-August 2026, a 15.1% share of the European market and the second largest in Europe after Germany’s 1,965,024 units, according to ACEA. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The Sportage was named a “family SUV” for four consecutive years at the UK’s What Car? Awards, with its practical interior, driving performance and reasonable price cited, according to Yonhap. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Kia sold 76,850 vehicles in the UK in January-August of this year, up 2.3% from the same period a year earlier. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Kia ranked second in UK sales in that period, behind Volkswagen with 111,830 units. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- BMW, Audi and Ford followed Kia in the UK brand ranking. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Kia was the only Asian brand in the UK top five. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The Sportage was the main driver of Kia’s UK sales, at 30,564 units and about 40% of the brand’s volume. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Kia has sold more than 100,000 vehicles a year in the UK for four consecutive years. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The UK is Europe’s second-largest car market, accounting for 15.1% of European sales, data from ACEA showed. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- Whether Kia will reach a fifth consecutive year of more than 100,000 UK sales and set an annual record. The documents describe this only as an expectation based on sales trends through August, not a confirmed result; Yonhap said it “is expected” and the Seoul Economic Daily said it should be reached “without difficulty.”
- Kia outselling Hyundai in the South Korean market in the third quarter. This appears only in the Dong-A Ilbo feed summary and is not supported by any other document.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Yonhap publishes the SMMT-based report on Kia’s UK sales and the Sportage’s share. [ 1 ]
- The Seoul Economic Daily publishes its report on the same figures. [ 2 ]
- The Chosun Ilbo publishes a feed summary on Kia’s UK ranking. [ 3 ]
- The Dong-A Ilbo publishes its report, adding that Kia outsold Hyundai in Korea in the third quarter. [ 4 ]