Kia Sonet sales cross 1 lakh mark in less than 12 months of launch

Kia launched their second made in India compact SUV Sonet in the market last year. Just like Seltos, Sonet also became popular among buyers in a short span of time. It was liked for its looks, features and the price. Kia India has now announced that they have sold 1 lakh units of Sonet SUVs in India. The brand has achieved this milestone in less than 12 months of its launch in the Indian market. Kia Sonet is also the fourth highest selling SUV in the country. Kia Sonet competes with cars like Maruti Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Mahindra XUV300, Tata Nexon in the segment.

Speaking on the milestone, Mr. Tae-Jin Park, Executive Director and Chief Sales & Business Strategy Officer, Kia India said,

The Sonet was launched when the auto industry was facing its worst slump in history with the advent of COVID-19 pandemic. The market was battling rock-bottom customer sentiment amidst manufacturing and supply chain setbacks. We introduced the Sonet in September last year against all odds, and it would not be an understatement to say that it has rewritten Kia’s success story in India and has made a stronghold in the segment with its industry-leading features and specifications. The one fourth contribution of iMT variant in total sales testifies that the model has also revolutionised the adaption of new technologies. The PV segment has been witnessing multiple transformations over the years, and as a leading automaker, we are committed to the changing trends and offering new-age driving experience to our customers across segments.

Also read: Kia Sonet stuck in slushy Bangalore road: Tow truck to the rescue (Video)

Kia Sonet actually became a breakthrough product in its segment. It contributes to 17 percent of overall sales in this segment and 32 percent of Kia India’s overall sales. Kia Sonet attracted customers because it offered several segment first features and was available in as many as 17 variants. Kia Sonet is the only car in the segment to offer a proper automatic transmission with the diesel engine. Kia mentions that Sonet customers show high affinity towards the top-of-the-line variants that contributed almost 64% to the overall dispatches. They also have a high appetite for the newer automotive technologies wherein almost 30% preferred a connected variant of the Sonet and 26% opted for the revolutionary iMT technology.

Earlier this year, Kia also introduced the updated version of Sonet to further augment customers’ convenience and their driving delight. The top-end version of the Sonet comes with all LED headlamps and tail lamps, unique looking LED DRLs, dual tone machine cut alloy wheels, ventilated front seats, ambient lights, Bose premium speaker system, electric sunroof, 10.25 inch touchscreen infotainment screen, multi-function steering wheel, automatic climate control and so on.

Kia Sonet is available with a variety of engine and transmission options. There is a 1.2 litre naturally aspirated engine that is available with a manual gearbox as standard. Next is the 1.5 litre turbocharged diesel engine. This engine is offered with a manual and an automatic transmission. The third engine option is the most powerful when compared to the others. It is a 1.0 litre, three cylinder, turbo petrol engine which comes with 7-speed DCT and a 6-speed iMT gearbox option.

Also read: Tata Nexon goes off roading in the Himalayas (Video)