New Delhi — It’s official: Kia India has clocked 1.5 million ‘Make in India’ vehicles, and it’s done it faster than you can say “Oppa Gangnam Style”. The milestone was achieved at the company’s glitzy Anantapur facility, where the 1.5 millionth vehicle—fittingly, a Carens—rolled off the line to the sound of cheers, camera flashes, and possibly a silent prayer from the production team to hit 2 million just as swiftly.
Kia now wears the crown as India’s youngest and fastest carmaker to achieve this feat. In an industry where milestones are measured in years and grey hairs, Kia seems to be accelerating through them with the gusto of a Sonet on a freeway.
To sweeten the celebration, Kia announced that a new and improved Carens will hit the roads on May 8th. According to the teaser, it’s going to be smarter, safer, and more evolved—which also sounds like how one might describe the entire Kia India strategy since 2019.
Speaking about the achievement, Gwanggu Lee, MD & CEO of Kia India, got a bit nostalgic (and rightfully so), saying, “From the very first Seltos to the 1.5 millionth Carens, each car tells a story of trust and innovation. We are proud, emotional, and maybe just a little tempted to go for a celebratory drive ourselves.”
The Anantapur facility deserves its own standing ovation—536 acres of sheer automotive ambition—responsible for shipping vehicles to over 90 countries, thus proving that what’s made in India doesn’t just stay in India. It’s global, it’s premium, and occasionally, it’s even parked in someone’s driveway in Peru.
As for the numbers:
- Seltos still leads the production scoreboard with over 700,668 units
- The Sonet isn’t far behind, charming urban buyers with 519,064 units
- The family-favourite Carens has clocked 241,582 units, and counting
- The recently launched Syros is gaining traction with 23,036 units
- And the regal Carnival rounds out the fleet with 16,172 units
With this achievement, Kia India isn’t just making cars—it’s making history, one sharply styled, tech-loaded vehicle at a time.
Next milestone? At this rate, probably next Tuesday.
