Hyundai Motor and Kia reported slightly lower U.S. sales in April, which the companies attributed to earlier buying tied to tariff concerns. Even as overall volume slipped, hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) sales rose to a record on strong demand for fuel-efficient models amid high oil prices.
Hyundai Motor and Kia said their combined U.S. sales in April totaled 159,216 vehicles, down 2.1% from a year earlier.
Hyundai sold 86,513 vehicles, down 1.5%, while Kia sold 72,703, down 2.8%. Premium brand Genesis posted 6,356 sales, up 0.8%.
HEV sales climbed to an all-time high of 41,239 vehicles despite the overall decline.
A Hyundai Motor and Kia official said sales eased because purchases had been pulled forward after last year's debate over U.S. auto tariffs. The official said the companies still outperformed the broader U.S. market on the strength of HEVs, sedans and electric vehicles (EVs).
At Hyundai, Sonata HEV sales jumped 170% to 4,520, and Elantra HEV sales rose 55.3% to 2,399.
Kia continued to see strength in SUVs led by the redesigned Telluride and in HEV models. Telluride sales totaled 12,557, and Seltos sales rose 31.7% to 5,335. Sportage HEV sales increased 65.2% to 7,446, and EV9 sales surged 481.5% to 1,349.
At Genesis, GV70 sales rose 7.7% to 2,837 and G70 sales increased 23.4% to 991, helping lift the brand's overall results.
With uncertainty persisting, including the war in the Middle East, Hyundai Motor and Kia said demand for eco-friendly vehicles increased. Their combined eco-friendly vehicle sales in April rose 47.6% from a year earlier to 48,425, accounting for 30.3% of total sales.
HEV sales rose 57.8% to 41,239, with Hyundai up 47.7% to 21,713 and Kia up 70% to 19,526.
EV sales totaled 7,186, up 7.7%. Hyundai's EV sales fell 8.4% to 4,779, while Kia's rose 65% to 2,407.
Global automakers also posted declines in April amid broader uncertainty. Toyota Group sales fell 4.6% to 222,378, while Subaru (-5.9%), Mazda (-17.3%) and Honda (-0.2%) also reported lower sales.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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