Kia Seltos has skyrocketed in terms of sales since its launch last year. It is a new-comer in India and luckily has been enjoying perks which not many newbies have the chance. It was launched in August 2020 and has since then racked in increasing numbers, month on month.
The secret ingredient to this is a clever marketing plan along with an irresistible package that looks badass. The Seltos is equipped with impressive features which only a few others can achieve in this segment. The number of powertrain options and the sheer number of variants on offer also adds to its boon as it helps cater to a wider audience with varying needs.
Kia Seltos has enjoyed a fair share of the market since its launch in August 2019. Bear in mind that it was launched on the 22nd of August and still managed to stack in over 6000 units in just 9 days. The following months saw a linear uphill climb for the sales numbers with the numbers being at its ripest in November 2019.
December saw a steep fall in sales due to the public conflict on the clarity of BS6 norms. Kia Seltos was sold in its BS6 form and so didn’t have to make changes in its line-up. January saw a drastic jump which overtook December figures as well. The closing month of the financial year 2019-20 saw a decline in sales due to various factors, the main being panic and lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Month | Units sold |
August 2019 | 6236 |
September 2019 | 7754 |
October 2019 | 12854 |
November 2019 | 14005 |
December 2019 | 4645 |
January 2020 | 15450 |
February 2020 | 14024 |
March 2020 | 8583 |
It's impressive to see a new-comer shoot up and seal a position among the top 10 automakers in terms of sales. Kia surely has enjoyed a safe path to success and it's all thanks to a well-studied marketing strategy along with an irresistible package which not many automakers provide in this segment and at a mouth-watering price-point.
Before Kia Seltos came along, Jeep Compass was the one enjoying all the sweet bits. It was again timing for Jeep that made the Compass an instant success. The only other potent car available during the launch of Jeep Compass was the first Gen Hyundai Creta which didn’t make much of a proposition as compared to the Jeep. But Kia has taken over with the Seltos and it is evident from the sales figures of 2020.
Then came the “Internet car” which took the county by storm. MG Hector amassed huge numbers since its launch in June of 2019. Its impressive pricing and brimful of technology made it the first choice of many potential customers. But then again, it is evident from the table below, that MG didn’t get to enjoy that fame for long.
Month | Kia Seltos | Hyundai Creta | MG Hector | Jeep Compass |
March 2020 | 8583 | 6706 | 1402 | 163 |
February 2020 | 14024 | 700 | 1218 | 666 |
January 2020 | 15450 | 6900 | 3130 | 701 |
The next-generation Hyundai Creta is what stands in Kia’s way. It is mechanically the same, as both cars share the same platform and powertrain options. This has helped Hyundai to sway close to Kia in terms of Sales figures and thus stands at second position after Kia Seltos in sales figures for March.
The rapid success rate of Kia Seltos shows us the importance of clever marketing coupled with proper timing. Kia bundled up an impressive package based on the current market scenario and thus gave people what they wanted. When someone acts proactively as per your needs, you tend to be attracted to them, and that is the secret ingredient of Kia’s success for topping the list of the most heated segment in India right now.