Kia set a record for monthly sales in the U.S. market last month, while Hyundai Motor’s sales saw a slight decline. However, both companies reported strong hybrid sales, surpassing 50,000 units for the first time. As electric vehicle (EV) purchase tax credit benefits in the U.S. ended, EV sales decreased, but hybrids and sports utility vehicles (SUVs) bolstered the companies’ performance in the American market.
On the 2nd, Hyundai Motor and Kia announced that their combined U.S. sales in August totaled 178,405 units, a 0.6% decrease from the same month last year. Eco-friendly vehicle sales reached a monthly record of 57,735 units, accounting for 32.4% of total sales, with hybrids (50,057 units) making up the majority.
Hyundai Motor’s U.S. sales last month were 86,977 units, down 2%. Including 7,635 Genesis vehicles, total sales reached 94,612 units, a 1.9% decrease. Meanwhile, Kia sold 83,793 units, up 0.9% from the previous month, marking its highest monthly sales since entering the U.S. market. The previous record was 83,007 units in August of last year.
Kia’s performance was driven by SUVs and hybrids. The Sportage led with 18,723 units, followed by the Telluride (12,693 units), Seltos (9,214 units), and Carnival (7,389 units). Notably, Seltos sales surged 53% compared to the same month last year.
Kia’s hybrid sales jumped 99% year-on-year. By model, Sportage Hybrid sales increased by 40%, while Sorento and Carnival Hybrids rose 22% and 15%, respectively. Strong hybrid and SUV sales offset the decline in EV sales.
Hyundai Motor saw solid performances from the Tucson and Santa Fe but could not prevent an overall sales drop. The Tucson sold 21,197 units, up 18%, and the Santa Fe sold 13,512 units, up 5%, both setting August sales records. The Elantra also rose 16% to 17,747 units. However, Palisade sales fell 18%, and EVs like the Ioniq 5 underperformed. Hyundai’s hybrid sales increased by 33% year-on-year.
Hyundai Motor’s U.S. subsidiary attributed the decline to a base effect from last August, when pre-tax credit demand surged ahead of the EV tax credit benefits’ expiration.
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