Korean-made automobiles continue to move higher in sales in California.
The Visalia Kia dealership is owned by Dwight Nelson who also owns the Selma Auto Mall. Dwight’s daughter Amber Nelson Billingsley, who is Director of Marketing for Visalia Kia says sales are trending higher for all Korean brands including Kia and Hyundai, parent company of Kia. The Nelson family markets both lines in Selma.
Now plans have been filed to remodel the Visalia Kia dealership at 825 South Ben Maddox with a new showroom adding 9600sft to the dealership and taking the total size to 16,300sft.
Amber says they hope to start construction on the remodeled dealership by the end of this year.
Amber adds that Kia is popular with “a wide range of demographics” and adds the car” features advanced technology, as well as offering sleek style and comfortable” seating.
Updated look and more space for Visalia Kia on Ben Maddox.
Both Hyundai and Kia are offering more electric car lines that are also selling well. Year to date Hyundai electric car sales are up 66% and Kia electric car sales are up 72% from the first half of 2023.
The California New Car Dealers Assn says second quarter sales of the Kia brand are up 5.1% versus the same time in 2023 Hyundai sales are also up 9.7%.
Bakersfield car dealer Patrick Beck who owns Visalia Hyundai has said he plans to build a new dealership off Plaza Drive in Visalia relocating from their current Ben Maddox site.