Hyundai, Kia China Sales Slump 39% to 9,000 Units in Sept
Hyundai and Kia’s China sales fell below 10,000 units in September for the first time this year, with market share down to 0.6%. Here’s what’s behind the slide.
Key Highlights
- Record Low for 2026: Hyundai Motor and Kia’s combined retail sales in China fell below 10,000 units in September, a first this year.
- Steep Drops: Hyundai’s sales plunged 47 per cent on-year to around 4,000 units, while Kia’s fell 31 per cent to 5,000.
- Shrinking Share: Combined market share slipped to just 0.6 per cent, down from more than 10 per cent in the mid-2010s.
- EV Push Struggles: China-specific electric SUV Elexio sold only 251 units in the first nine months of 2026; the Ioniq V sold 558 units in September.
- Global Reset: Hyundai plans to add 1.27 million units of production capacity and launch over 100 new and updated models by 2030.
Hyundai Motor and Kia have hit a fresh low in China. The South Korean automakers’ combined retail sales in the country dropped below 10,000 vehicles in September, the first time this has happened this year, according to industry data released on Sunday.
Hyundai’s sales fell 47 per cent year-on-year to around 4,000 units, while Kia’s declined 31 per cent to 5,000 units, according to a Hana Securities report based on China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) data. Together, their sales fell 39 per cent to approximately 9,000 units, Yonhap news agency reported.
From Market Leaders to Fringe Players
The numbers tell a striking story of decline. In the mid-2010s, Hyundai and Kia together held more than 10 per cent of China’s passenger car market. Today, that share has shrunk to just 0.6 per cent.
