Record sales of electric vehicles at the start of 2021 have helped Kia Motors (UK) Ltd post one of its best-ever January results. Despite a challenging month since the beginning of 2021, Kia sold 6,271 cars in the UK throughout the period.

Moreover, in January one in every six Kia vehicles sold was fully electric; Kia sold 985 e-Niro models and 64 units of the Soul EV in the first month of the year, accounting in total for 16.7% of all Kia sales in the UK last month. The e-Niro was the best-selling EV in the UK in January.

January also saw particularly high interest in the Sportage, as sales of the company’s UK best-seller grew by 21.5% (to 2,986 units) compared to January 2020 — making it the second-best-selling model in the UK last month.

Paul Philpott, president and CEO of Kia Motors (UK) Ltd, said: “Starting the year off in this position is positive for us, and it places us well in the market. Most importantly, it means our dealer network has been able to deliver our customers’ vehicles safely.

“We are realistic about the challenges we still face in the immediate future, but it is equally encouraging to see how our electrified vehicle range is proving ever-more popular.”

Earlier in January, Kia Corp announced plans to launch seven new dedicated EVs between now and 2027, under the brand’s ‘Plan S’ mid- to long-term business strategy. The first of these EVs will be unveiled during Q1 2021 and will play an important role in Kia UK’s EV line up.