Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation’s Small EV Sales in Europe Rise 14% as They Counter China’s Push with New Models

[Financial News] Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation are mounting a counterattack by putting small cars at the forefront in Europe, where Chinese automakers are stepping up their offensive. Sales of small EVs recorded double-digit growth this year, but overall sales have fallen, making it increasingly urgent to defend market share by introducing new models. Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation plan to counter the advance of Chinese brands with European-market models such as the IONIQ 3 and the new BAYON.
On the 19th, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation said that small EV sales in Europe totaled 97,689 units from January to August this year, up 14.4% from 85,404 in the same period last year. Total small-car sales, including small EVs, reached 289,261 units over the same period, nearing 300,000.
Growth was driven by new electric models such as the Hyundai Inster, Kia EV3 and EV2. The Hyundai Inster, launched in Europe in December 2024, had sold a cumulative 48,824 units through August this year. The Kia EV3, launched in August of the same year, also established itself as a core EV, with cumulative sales of 109,278 units. The EV2, unveiled at the Brussels Motor Show in January this year, likewise recorded sales of 17,547 units through August.
Internal-combustion small cars are also supporting the sales base. Since its launch in Europe in 2004, the Kia Picanto had sold a cumulative 1,362,740 units through August this year, making it Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation’s best-selling model in the region. The Hyundai i20 has also surpassed 1 million cumulative sales, while the Hyundai Kona and Kia Stonic recorded cumulative sales of 789,918 and 506,390 units, respectively.
Despite the strong performance of small cars, overall sales remain sluggish. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation sold 534,670 vehicles in Europe from January to August this year, down 2.2% from the same period last year. They retained fourth place in the sales ranking, behind Volkswagen Group, Stellantis and Renault Group, but finding new sources of growth has emerged as a challenge.
Chinese automakers, in particular, are growing rapidly. Over the same period, BYD sold 177,752 vehicles in Europe, a 163% surge from a year earlier. Chery Automobile recorded 116,318 sales, up 250.9%. Geely Automobile also expanded its influence in the European market, selling 205,047 vehicles, an increase of 7.8%.
Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation are further expanding their small-car lineups to meet European consumers’ demand for practicality and affordability. The key new models are Hyundai’s IONIQ 3 and ‘The All-New BAYON.’
The IONIQ 3 is a small electric hatchback designed exclusively for the European market, unveiled at Milan Design Week in April. Developed on the Hyundai Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), it features a design that reduces air resistance while maximizing interior space. The long-range model is equipped with a 61 kWh battery and can travel up to 496 km on a single charge.
The new BAYON, recently unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, is a fully redesigned version of the model first launched in 2021. It features enhanced safety and convenience functions, including Highway Driving Assist, a 360-degree camera and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist. The addition of Digital Key 2.0 and dual 12.3-inch curved displays has also enhanced its appeal.
Industry observers expect it to become increasingly important to combine competitive pricing with strong product appeal in the small-car market as Chinese brands expand their low-price offensive. A Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation representative said, “We will strengthen our portfolio across vehicle classes, from small cars to premium models, to solidify our position in the European market.”
[email protected] Kim Dong-ho Reporter