Kia Philippines, a subsidiary of ACMobility, has officially renewed its partnership with Kia Corporation, securing a 10-year extension that marks a historic first for the brand in the country.
The distributor agreement was signed in Seoul, South Korea, on March 18, with leaders from both organizations joined by dealer principals and bank partners. The renewal underscores the growing confidence between Kia Philippines and its global principal, while reinforcing the brand’s long-term commitment to the local market.
“This partnership extension represents a long-term commitment to the Filipino drivers who have embraced the Kia brand,” said Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, CEO of ACMobility. “Our growth proves that Filipinos are looking for the kind of purposeful innovation that Kia provides, and we’re excited to keep that momentum going.”
The renewed agreement comes after a strong 2025 for Kia in the Philippines. While the broader automotive industry posted a 3.7 percent increase, Kia outpaced the market with 16.7 percent year-on-year growth, making it one of the country’s fastest-growing automotive brands.
That momentum was driven not only by higher sales, but also by improving brand perception and stronger customer interest. Kia said the Sonet, Carnival Turbo Hybrid, and Sorento Turbo Hybrid were among the key models leading its expansion in the Philippine market.
ACMobility, part of the Ayala Group, took over the Kia distributorship in 2018. This year, the company is aiming to further strengthen Kia’s position in the country, while aligning with the brand’s global electrification strategy through a broader hybrid electric vehicle offering.
A major part of that plan is the arrival of the Kia EV5, which will expand the brand’s local portfolio across internal combustion, turbo hybrid, and fully electric vehicles. Kia Philippines also said it will continue introducing new models and improving after-sales services as it grows its customer base.
“Our growth is driven by the vibrant community of Filipinos who have made Kia a part of their story, from families sharing journeys in the Carnival to young professionals finding their start in the Sonet,” said Jay Lopez, Managing Director of Kia Philippines. “This ten-year milestone is a commitment to continue growing this community by offering a lineup that understands the local road as we expand into the hybrid segment and bring innovative mobility to the hearts of our customers.”
With the 10-year renewal now in place, Kia Philippines is positioning itself for a longer-term role in the local automotive industry, with a sharper focus on sustainable mobility, electrified vehicles, and customer support.