August 2020 sales - 7,588

[YEH]

Seems like the new higher production capacity is paying dividends.

New monthly record for the Telluride, and this August had fewer selling days than last year.

The GA plant should be bursting at the seams with production of the Telluride, K5 and new Sorento.

98% of all Kia sales were retail.

KIA MOTORS AMERICA ANNOUNCES AUGUST SALES

Kia Motors America’s August sales of 57,015 vehicles were led by the Forte and Sorento models with 8,414 and 7,809 units sold, respectively. Retail sales of 56,015 accounted for 98 percent of Kia’s August volume, and represents the second highest monthly retail sales total in company history.

www.kiamedia.com

 

[MarcinTexas]

Seems like the new higher production capacity is paying dividends.

New monthly record for the Telluride, and this August had fewer selling days than last year.

The GA plant should be bursting at the seams with production of the Telluride, K5 and new Sorento.

98% of all Kia sales were retail.

KIA MOTORS AMERICA ANNOUNCES AUGUST SALES

Kia Motors America’s August sales of 57,015 vehicles were led by the Forte and Sorento models with 8,414 and 7,809 units sold, respectively. Retail sales of 56,015 accounted for 98 percent of Kia’s August volume, and represents the second highest monthly retail sales total in company history.

www.kiamedia.com

Impressive. Given the fact that 9,148 VINs were produced last month - this means dealer inventory is slowly rising. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if September sales rise even higher for the Telluride. Still such a massive backlog of orders and the Nightfall Edition seems to be selling well despite the controversial wheels and grill.

One of the surprising stats is the sales of the Sorento - so late in life with a new one right around the corner. Wondering if there are deals to be had for this model. I do worry that when the new one launches how it will impact Telluride production.

Finally the fact that sales held pretty strong with almost no fleet sales is especially good for the brand. Well done KIA!

 

[BrendonSF]

For those interested in seeing production volume by month for 2020:

 

[YEH]

Impressive. Given the fact that 9,148 VINs were produced last month - this means dealer inventory is slowly rising. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if September sales rise even higher for the Telluride.

One of the surprising stats is the sales of the Sorento - so late in life with a new one right around the corner. Wondering if there are deals to be had for this model. I do worry that when the new one launches how it will impact Telluride production.

I'm sure there are deals on the outgoing model, but don't think the new Sorento will impact Telluride production as the production nos. had been set some time ago.

The West Point plant has a total production capacity ofof 340k (running 3 shifts) with Telluride production set/raised to 100k.

Figure production is set at around 100-110k for the K5 and around 130-140k for the new Sorento.

If anything, Kia needs to bump up production of the Telluride even further - getting it to 110-115k wouldn't be a bad idea and it seems like Kia has been thinking along those lines as 9.1k/month production equates to roughly an annual production of 109k.

Can't see Kia reducing the pace (as long as the demand continues) even for the new K5 and Sorento as the Telluride provides larger margins.

Similarly, Hyundai's Alabama plant has been going full bore with 3 shifts to manufacture the Sonata, Santa Fe and Elantra, and even with the expansion to build the new Tucson and the Santa Cruz, Hyundai is contemplating whether to expand production even further (as the new Elantra and refreshed Santa Fe should see greater demand, along with the addition of the Sonata N-Line; think the hybrid is still imported from Korea).

Kia has spare capacity at their Mexico plant, but may not be worth it financially to tool for say, the Sorento, even if it allows for increased Telluride production.

Can see Kia building the new Sportage there.

Finally the fact that sales held pretty strong with almost no fleet sales is especially good for the brand. Well done KIA!

Yeah, really helps to finally have a full lineup of crossovers.

The Telluride, the K5, the new Sorento, Sedona and Sportage should really help to increase Kia's profitability/margins (as well as the new Cadenza in Korea).