Kia Sales To Outgrow Toyota In 2014

Kia aims to increase their overal global sales in 2014 by 6 percent, revealed the automaker today.

Although the global market uncertainty is expected to continue through the 2014, Kia aims to grow faster than Toyota Motor, the world’s largest carmaker whose global sales are expected to increase 4 percent.

Kia Motors plans to achieve 585,000 vehicle sales in the United States, up 9 percent from a year earlier, and 630,000 vehicle sales in China (15 percent increase compared to a year ago).

South Korean sales are also expected to pick up 5 percent this year to reach the 480,000 units sales mark.

2014 Kia Sales Expectations

– U.S. sales to rise 9% to 585,000 units

– China sales to soar 15% to 630,000 units

– South Korean sales to increase 5% to 480,000 units

New Kia Vehicles To Go On Sale Worldwide In 2014

Kia plans several new model launches for 2014 and those will be the company’s core products to lift their sales and meet their goals.

First to make its official appearance will be the new Sedona minivan, which will make its official public debut at the 2014 New York Auto Show, which kicks off in April.

Also debuting in April will be the K4 sedan, a China-exclusive model which is expected to go on sale in the second quarter of 2014.

The K4 midsize sedan will be positioned in-between the K3 and K5 models and will be built at Kia’s third manufacturing plant in China.

Sales at home will be driven by the arrival of new Carnival MPV (a rebadged Sedona minivan) and the all-new 2016 Sorento crossover vehicle.

The first prototype of the next-generation Sorento have already been spotted testing, so make sure you check out the Sorento spy pics here.

Kia is also working on the all-electric version of the Soul CUV, which is also expected to be put on sale this year.

Kia Posts Profit

Kia Motors has seen their quarterly profit soar 29% (net profit of $883 million) from a year ago, thanks the increased sales of the higher priced vehicles, such as the Sorento SUV and Optima sedan.

However, stronger local currency has cut into the automaker’s margins. Kia’s operating profit margin slid to 5.5% in the fourth quarter from 6.0% in the third quarter and from 8.6% in the second quarter of 2013.