Kia Plans to Commence Auto Sales in Russia
Get ready to roll again, Kia!
Korean auto giant Kia's plans to conquer the Russian market once more are shaping up, aiming to sell a whopping 50,000 passenger cars by the end of 2025. This ambitious scheme is part of an international business strategy adjustment, reflecting the promising outlook for peace in Ukraine and the global scene.
Interestingly, Russia wasn’t among Kia’s long-term objectives last year. However, it has reappeared in their 2025 sales plan, signifying a step towards market diversification as the world grapples with uncertainty.
So, what's on Kia's global agenda this year? The company plans to sell 1.11 million vehicles in North America, 774,000 in Europe, 580,000 in South Korea, and 400,000 in India.
But hold up, here's a word of caution. According to industry experts, Kia's desire to return to Russia might be more of a "test of presence" rather than a full-blown comeback. Daniil Shkurygin, commercial director oferstwhile Avto.ru, predicts that it might take a couple of years, maybe more, for foreign automakers to regain their lost standing in the Russian market.
Curiously, the details about Kia's return to the Russian market remain under wraps. Dealers are in the dark, uncertain about the plans. Even the presence of Kia's parent brand, Hyundai, in Russia is unclear. To make a significant impact with 50,000 cars annually, the price point has to be competitive; preferably cheaper than Chinese counterparts. However, native Korean cars priced similarly could find themselves in the mid- or high-end segment, potentially out of reach for many Russian buyers.
Some analysts argue that Russians still aren't fully onboard with the Sinicization of their car market. Preference for German cars remains strong, constituting a 20-22% market share in 2022 for brands like Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and commercial vehicles MAN and Daimler.
Incidentally, Russian car thefts skyrocketed by 70% in 2025, with popular targets being UAZ, Lada, Chery, Haval, Shacman, KAMAZ, and MAZ. Keep an eye on our website for more interesting tidbits about the car world and sales trends in 2025!
[1] Kia Revisits Russia, Plans to Sell 50,000 Cars by 2025
[2] Hyundai-Kia's Clarification on Russia Sales Target
[3] Kia Mulling Over Kazakhstan Route for Russian Sales
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- I'm not sure about the specifics, but Kia's plans for a comeback to the Russian market involve selling 50,000 passenger cars by 2025, according to reports.
- Kia's ambition for a significant market share in the Russian industry, as part of its global diversification strategy, could potentially face resistance due to the Sinicization preferences not being fully embraced by Russians.
- As Kia gears up for its return to the Russian market, finance and price point remain crucial considerations, with the aim to be competitive against Chinese counterparts and native Korean cars.
- Interestingly, the details about Kia's re-entry strategy remain unclear, and dealers are uncertain about the plans, including the possible role of its parent brand, Hyundai, in Russia.
- While Kia aims to sell 50,000 cars annually in Russia, it's important to consider the market trends and understand that Russian car thefts increased by 70% in 2025, with popular targets including domestic and foreign brands.
