Seoul, Aug 2 — Hyundai Motor and Kia sold more than 100,000 electric vehicles in Europe during the first half of the year as the South Korean automakers intensified efforts to strengthen their presence in the region, the companies said on Sunday.

A total of 131,032 EVs were sold in Europe between January and June 2026, representing a sharp 41.8 per cent increase from 92,365 units recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year, according to Hyundai and Kia.

Kia’s EV3 compact sport utility vehicle emerged as the bestselling model with 27,121 units, followed by Hyundai’s Inster subcompact SUV with 16,594 units and Kia’s EV4 sedan with 14,502 units.

If the current sales trajectory continues through the remainder of the year, the companies expect annual EV sales in Europe to exceed 200,000 units for the first time since they entered the European electric vehicle market in 2014.

Hyundai and Kia first crossed the 100,000 annual EV sales mark in Europe in 2021. Combined sales have risen steadily since then, reaching 183,912 units in 2025. Their cumulative EV sales in the region surpassed the one-million mark through May.

The automakers, both part of Hyundai Motor Group, have been expanding their electric vehicle line-up in Europe, where demand for environmentally friendly vehicles remains strong. They currently offer 14 EV models in the market.

“As competition in the European EV market intensifies, we plan to further expand our EV lineup to increase our market share,” a source at the conglomerate said.

Separately, Hyundai Motor Group announced plans to expand its sport utility vehicle and eco-friendly vehicle range in Brazil as it seeks to strengthen its position in the Latin American market. Executive Chair Euisun Chung recently toured Hyundai Motor’s plant in Sao Paulo and the group’s regional headquarters for Latin America during President Lee Jae Myung’s state visit to Brazil.

Hyundai Motor produces approximately 200,000 vehicles a year in Brazil, including the HB20 subcompact and i20 hatchback models. The company intends to broaden its SUV portfolio, introduce locally tailored eco-friendly vehicles and develop hydrogen infrastructure to support future growth.

The first-half figures underscore the growing acceptance of Hyundai and Kia’s electric models in Europe and the group’s parallel efforts to deepen its footprint in other key international markets.