SEOUL, October 02 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor and Kia posted record U.S. sales in the third quarter as hybrid deliveries jumped more than 50 percent.
Hyundai, Genesis and Kia sold a combined 506,200 vehicles from July through September, up 5.4 percent from a year earlier. Hyundai and Genesis together sold 269,541 vehicles, while Kia delivered 236,659.
Hybrid models were the main growth engine. Combined hybrid sales rose 53.4 percent to a record 138,112 units, while electric vehicle sales fell 51 percent to 22,311.
Electrified models, including hybrids and EVs, accounted for 31.6 percent of the group's U.S. sales during the quarter.
The results could also lift Hyundai Motor Group above Ford in quarterly U.S. sales.
Cox Automotive had forecast Hyundai Motor Group to finish the quarter ahead of Ford, while General Motors and Toyota were expected to remain the two largest sellers. Ford had yet to report its final September sales. Cox Automotive Inc.
The record quarter came as Hyundai unveiled the next-generation Tucson in New York on Wednesday, placing one of its best-selling SUVs at the center of a broader North American expansion.
Tucson was Hyundai's top-selling model in the U.S. during the third quarter with 64,075 units. Since its 2004 debut, the nameplate has sold more than 11.1 million vehicles worldwide, with the U.S. accounting for about one-fifth of the total, according to Hyundai. Hyundai Motor Group
Hyundai plans to launch or refresh more than 100 vehicles globally by 2030, including 58 in North America, more than in any other region. The lineup will include the new Tucson and Tucson Hybrid. Hyundai
The redesigned Tucson is larger than its predecessor and will offer Hyundai's next-generation hybrid system. It will also become the company's first SUV to use Pleos Connect, an Android Automotive-based infotainment system that includes its Gleo AI voice agent. Hyundai
Hyundai will launch the new Tucson in Korea later this year, followed by North America and Europe in 2027. A separate sport-oriented version will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show on Oct. 12. Hyundai Motor Group
AJP Takeaways
- Hyundai, Genesis and Kia sold a record 506,200 vehicles in the U.S. in the third quarter.
- Hybrid sales jumped 53.4 percent to 138,112 units, while EV sales fell 51 percent.
- Cox Automotive expects Hyundai Motor Group to finish the quarter ahead of Ford.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
