• Q3 revenue increased 8.2% Y/y to KRW 16.32 trillion
• Global vehicle sales totaled 699,402 units in Q3, down 0.4% Y/y
• Q3 operating profit declined 33% to KRW 195.2 billion; net profit slid 59% to KRW 133.7 billion  
• Overall business performance continued improving, excluding provisions for quality issues to ensure customer safety 
• Company will protect profitability with improved product mix and innovative new models amid persisting uncertainty from COVID-19

Kia Motors Corporation today announced its business results for the third quarter of 2020. Third-quarter revenue increased 8.2 percent, year-on-year, to KRW 16.32 trillion (from KRW 15.09 trillion). 

Kia sold 699,402 vehicles around the globe in the July-September period, slightly lower than 702,258 units sold in the same period last year. Sales outside of Korea declined by just 1.3 percent to 562,678 units as lockdown measures eased in advanced markets, with reviving demand despite the ongoing adverse impacts from COVID-19. Sales in Korea rose by 3.2 percent to 136,724 units, led by sales of the newly launched Carnival minivan, as well as the Sorento SUV and K5 sedan. 

The company recorded revenues of KRW 16.32 trillion in the third quarter, 8.2 percent higher than KRW 15.09 trillion over the same period in 2019. An enhanced product mix helped mitigate the impacts of the unfavorable economic environment, including currency exchange rate movements. Higher sales in China and India also contributed to revenue growth.

The company recorded operating profits of KRW 195.2 billion, down 33 percent from a year earlier, and net profits of KRW 133.7 billion, down 59 percent, after making provisions for quality issues. The company has taken preemptive measures to ensure customer safety and to avoid future cost increases. Excluding provisions, the company’s business performance exceeded market expectations, despite the persistently weak global demand caused by the effects of COVID-19.

For the first nine months of 2020, Kia’s global sales totaled 1,864,137 units, down 10.3 percent from a year earlier, while revenue rose 0.5 percent to KRW 42.26 trillion. Year-to-date operating profit stood at KRW 784.8 billion and net profit was KRW 526 billion.

To combat the adverse business environment stemming from the pandemic, the company plans to guard profitability and competitiveness with pioneering new models, while optimizing production capacity to best cope with the recovery in market demand.

Furthermore, Kia will continue its risk management efforts to minimize the impacts of COVID-19 on its businesses and customers. The company is implementing various schemes to support customers, such as launching new models online.

Despite the tough business environment, Kia will continue to focus on realizing its ‘Plan S’ strategy. Under Plan S, the company aims to proactively introduce 11 battery electric vehicles and increase its operating profit margin to 6 percent by 2025.

Kia Motors Corporation 2020 Q3 Business Results (K-IFRS)

(Revenue / Operating Profit / Net Profit unit: Billion KRW)

* Net Profit includes non-controlling interest

Notes:
A. The above results are tentative consolidated business results under “Korean International Financial Reporting Standards (K-IFRS)”
B. The above results are preliminary and unaudited. Figures are subject to change after official audit.
C. The above sales volumes are based on wholesales.
D. For further information, please refer to the company website (http://www.kia.com/worldwide/main.do)

Presentation material is available for download on the Company IR website – IR Calendar (http://pr.kia.com/en/company/ir/ir-library/business-results.do)