Kia UK is celebrating its 30th anniversary, with more than 1.2 million cars sold in the UK since 1991.

The company’s market share has reached 5%, it’s highest ever, and it now plans to embark on the expansion of its electrification strategy.

Paul Philpott, president & CEO of Kia UK Limited, said: “It’s incredible to look at the rate of progress we have enjoyed over the last three decades, both in terms of what our cars now offer drivers and how perceptions of our brand have changed.

“This success is testament not just to the products and services we offer, but also, importantly, thanks to the dedication and determination of our dealer partners, who tirelessly represent us so well to a growing number of customers up and down the country.”

Kia UK is supported by a network of 192 dealers and 11 authorised repairers, offering the full range of Kia vehicles, services, and aftersales support.

The Korean car brand marked the occasion with a photoshoot of its most important historic models on the banking at the historic Brooklands motor racing circuit.

The banking is less than 300 metres from Kia UK’s previous headquarters, first established when the business became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kia Corporation in 2002. Kia UK is now headquartered in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey.

Kia’s 30-year history in the UK began in 1991 with the launch of the Kia Pride, imported by MCL Group and accounting for just 1,786 sales that year.

The following three decades have seen four generations of Kia’s UK best-seller, the Sportage, as well the Ceed model family, small cars such as the Picanto and Rio, the Sorento large SUV, and even a high-performance fastback saloon, the Stinger.

Since 1991, Kia has now sold a total of more than 1.2 million cars in the UK – and two thirds of these have been sold in the last 10 years.

Philpott added: “2021 provides an ideal moment for us to see where we’ve come from, but also to look forward to where we’re heading. Our product line-up is increasingly populated with hybrid and electric vehicles, and we’re embarking on an ambitious strategy to launch a range of dedicated new EVs over the next five years. The first of these will be the Kia EV6, which arrives in UK showrooms later this year.

“Kia’s presence in the UK in 1991 is almost unrecognisable today, and our long-term strategy will mean we continue to evolve and adapt in line with the changing needs of British customers over the next 30 years.”