In September 2021, Kia India registered a healthy sales of 14,441 units and became India’s fourth largest carmaker with a market share of 7.8 percent. The Kia Seltos remains the top-selling model with total sales of 9,583 units, followed by the Sonet subcompact SUV (4,454 units) and Carnival MPV (404 units). Interestingly, the Seltos outnumbered the Hyundai Creta with a big margin (nearly 1390 units). The latter one recorded sales of 8,193 units against 12,325 units of the same month last year.
While the Seltos registered Y-o-Y (year-on-year) growth of 6 percent, the Creta recorded a sales decline of 34 percent. In fact, Hyundai’s SUV witnessed M-o-M (month-on-moth) decline of 35 percent. Kia India, on the other hand, managed to sell extra 964 units of the Seltos against 8,619 units of August 2021. It accounted an M-o-M sales growth of 11 percent.
In August 2021, the South Korean automaker introduced the Kia Seltos X-Line with both petrol and diesel engines. While its petrol version costs Rs 17.79 lakh, the diesel model has been priced at Rs 18.10 lakh (all, ex-showroom). Based on the range-topping GTX+ variant, the X-Line comes with a few cosmetic enhancements including the new Xclusive Matte Graphite colour scheme. The ‘Xclusive Piano black’ (gloss black) finish on the front and rear skid plates, ORVMs, shark-fin antenna, faux exhaust on the rear bumper and tailgate garnish further enhance its sporty appeal.
The Seltos X-Line has ‘Sun Orange’ accents on the skid plates, centre caps of the wheels and side door garnish. It has been assembled with the larger 18-inch alloy wheels that have a matte graphite finish. Inside, the model gets leatherette blue upholstery (Indigo Pera). In other updates, the automaker is working on a 7-seater SUV or MPV that will be based on the Seltos’ platform. It’s reported to launch in early 2022.
