Kia Motor India closed December 2025 with a performance that clearly reflects post-festive demand normalisation rather than a loss of relevance. While month-on-month (MoM) numbers softened sharply across its core models, year-on-year (YoY) growth remained robust, highlighting how much Kia’s base has expanded compared to December 2024.
December also underlined Kia’s biggest strength—and challenge: a heavy dependence on SUVs and MPVs, with limited contribution from EVs and premium imports. As the market cooled after the festive quarter, Kia’s volumes adjusted faster than some rivals, but its core products remain structurally sound.
Kia India Car Sales – December 2025 (Model-wise Performance)
Big Picture: December Was a Reality Check Month
December 2025 represented:
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The cool-down phase after heavy festive pull-forward
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A reset in dealer dispatches
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Buyers deferring purchases to January–February for new-year registration
For Kia, this translated into steep MoM corrections, but YoY growth across Sonet, Seltos, and Carens confirms that December 2024 was a much weaker base, and Kia’s overall footprint has expanded meaningfully over the past year.
Core Volume Driver: Sonet Leads the Charge
Sonet: Still Kia’s Backbone
The Kia Sonet emerged as the brand’s top-selling model in December with 9,418 units.
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+182% YoY growth
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-22% MoM correction
Sonet’s massive YoY jump reflects:
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A very low base in December 2024
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Improved acceptance of refreshed variants
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Continued strength in the sub-4-metre SUV segment, which benefits from favourable GST treatment
The MoM dip, however, indicates intense competition from newer and better-priced rivals in the compact SUV space.
Mid-Size SUV Pressure: Seltos Cools Sharply
Seltos: Strong YoY, Weak MoM
Seltos recorded 4,369 units, delivering:
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+54% YoY growth
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A steep 31% MoM decline
The data suggests:
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Buyers advanced purchases into October–November
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Increasing pressure from rivals offering newer tech, hybrid options, or sharper pricing
Seltos remains a strong brand pillar, but December highlights the need for continued feature and value reinforcement in the highly crowded mid-SUV segment.
MPV Story: Carens Sees the Sharpest Correction
Carens: Festive Spike Fades
Carens posted 3,681 units, marking:
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+40% YoY growth
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A sharp 44% MoM drop
The November spike was driven by:
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Festive family buying
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Fleet and travel-segment demand
December’s correction is largely seasonal. However, the numbers show that Carens is more festival-dependent than Ertiga or Innova, making it vulnerable in lean months.
New & Emerging Nameplates: Syros Gains Early Traction
Syros: Early Momentum Builds
The Syros delivered 1,116 units, more than doubling MoM.
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+105% MoM growth
While absolute volumes are modest, the rapid MoM increase indicates:
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Growing awareness
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Early adopter interest
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A cautious but positive rollout strategy
Syros is still in its price–positioning validation phase, with 2026 expected to be the real test.
Premium & Halo Products: Limited Impact
Carnival: Niche Stability
Carnival sold 75 units, down 27% YoY but up 29% MoM.
This reflects:
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Extremely limited buyer pool
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Sporadic dispatch patterns rather than steady demand
Carnival remains a halo MPV, not a volume contributor.
EV6 & EV9: EV Presence Remains Symbolic
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EV6 recorded zero sales in December (vs 61 last year)
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EV9 also remained at zero after a single-unit dispatch in November
These figures underline that Kia’s EV strategy in India is still halo-led, focused on brand perception rather than scale.
Key Trends from Kia’s December 2025 Sales
1. SUVs Still Dominate Kia’s Portfolio
Sonet and Seltos together account for the bulk of Kia’s volumes.
2. Festive Dependency Is High
Carens and Seltos saw some of the steepest MoM declines among mainstream models.
3. Sub-4-Metre Advantage Matters
Sonet’s relative resilience highlights the benefit of tax-efficient compact SUVs.
4. New Models Need Time
Syros shows promise, but meaningful impact will depend on sustained monthly growth.
5. EV Volumes Are Yet to Materialise
Kia’s electric offerings remain aspirational rather than commercial.
Strategic Implications for 2026
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Strengthen Sonet’s Value Proposition
Continuous feature updates and pricing discipline will be critical. -
Reinforce Seltos Differentiation
Mid-SUV buyers are increasingly value- and tech-driven. -
Stabilise Carens Beyond Festive Peaks
Broader use-case marketing could reduce volatility. -
Scale Syros Carefully
Early MoM growth is encouraging, but sustained demand will be the real test. -
Clarify EV Roadmap
Without localisation, EVs will remain niche.
Outlook: What December Signals Going Into 2026
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Sonet will continue as Kia’s primary volume engine
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Seltos and Carens will see periodic spikes rather than steady runs
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Syros could emerge as a secondary growth pillar if priced aggressively
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EVs will stay marginal unless localisation improves
Conclusion
Kia’s December 2025 performance is best described as strong on an annual basis, soft on a monthly one. The sharp MoM corrections reflect festive demand exhaustion, not fading brand strength. With substantial YoY growth across its core models, Kia has clearly expanded its market footprint over the past year.
However, December also exposes Kia’s key vulnerability: high reliance on a narrow SUV-MPV lineup with limited insulation during non-festive months. As India’s car market enters 2026 under sharper price scrutiny and GST-led rationalisation, Kia’s next phase of growth will depend on broadening its portfolio, refreshing core products, and executing a clearer EV strategy.
December doesn’t signal decline—it signals the need for strategic recalibration.
