Kia Slashes $10,000 Off Its EVs, But EV Sales Drop Drastically in the US

Despite these price reductions, sales of key models like the EV9 and EV6 remain far below previously recorded levels.

Car manufacturers in the United States are looking for ways to rekindle interest in their electric vehicles. This is because the federal tax credit of up to $7,500 has faded away. With the loss of that incentive, many brands are seeking new strategies to attract buyers. Kia, for example, has opted for a simple approach: slashing prices. The company is offering discounts worth as much as $10,000 across several models.

Substantial Discounts Without Expected Traction

Kia announced last month the availability of $10,000 in customer cash on three models. These are the 2025 Niro EV, 2025 EV6, and 2026 EV9. This markdown for the Niro EV amounts to approximately a 24% discount on the base model. However, the numbers suggest that this aggressive pricing is not having the desired effect, at least not yet. Sales remain far below the levels seen when the tax credit was still in play.

Sharp Decline in EV6 and EV9 Deliveries

Recent sales figures show a notable drop in deliveries. Kia shifted 918 examples of the three-row EV9 last month. Although this figure was almost triple the number of Hyundai Ioniq 9s sold over the same period, it is down significantly from the 2,155 sold in November 2024. Year-to-date deliveries have also fallen by 30%, from 20,066 to just 14,032.

The picture is comparable with the EV6, which received a comprehensive facelift. Sales have dropped sharply, falling from 1,887 in November 2024 to only 603 this year. Total sales for 2025 now stand at 12,188 units, representing a 38% drop from 19,604 units over the same stretch in 2024. Despite this, overall Niro sales (which includes ICE, hybrid, and EV versions) increased dramatically, rising from 1,624 in November 2024 to 5,230 last month.

Kia’s Overall Sales On Track for Annual Record

Despite the underwhelming performance of its electric lineup, Kia’s overall sales tell a different story. The brand delivered 72,002 vehicles in November. This marks a 3% increase from the 70,107 sold a year earlier. Kia has now sold 777,152 vehicles in 2025. Consequently, the brand is on course to notch its third consecutive all-time annual sales record. These gains have been driven in part by a 64% jump in K5 sales, a 13% rise in Sportage deliveries, and an 8% boost for the Telluride.