EVs, SUVs power Hyundai, Kia’s US sales to Sept records

Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp., South Korea’s two largest carmakers, enjoyed record September sales thanks to the popularity of their electric vehicles and sport utility vehicles in the US, the world’s second-largest automobile market.

The two units of the world's third-largest automaker Hyundai Motor Group sold a combined 136,225 units last month in the US, up 17.7% from a year earlier, according to their units in the country.

Hyundai Motor America said on Tuesday its sales rose 16% to 68,961 vehicles in September on-year, the largest ever for the month.

Sales of Hyundai’s all-electric IONIQ 5 crossover more than tripled to 3,958 units, while sales of the Santa Fe and the Tucson SUVs grew 38% and 45%, respectively. Sales of Santa Fe’s plug-in hybrid models and hybrid trims surged by 1,125% and 97%. The Tucson’s plug-in hybrid versions and hybrid models soared by 950% and 95%.

“September was led by record sales from our Tucson and Santa Fe lineup, which signals customers are choosing these models for outstanding value and different powertrain options,” said Hyundai Motor America CEO Randy Parker in a statement. “We are in great shape to finish the year strong with our all-new Kona and increased sales from our IONIQ lineup of electric vehicles.”

The company sold 200,534 vehicles in the third quarter, 9% higher than a year earlier, while its sales in the first nine months grew 13% to 595,147 units.

EV6, NIRO

Hyundai’s smaller affiliate Kia also logged record September sales in the US as more drivers looked to its eco-friendly vehicles.

Kia America said on Monday said it posted its best-ever September sales total of 67,264 units, up 20% from a year earlier.

Sales of the EV6, Kia’s first dedicated electric vehicle built on Hyundai Motor Group’s new EV platform, rose 45% to 2,084 units. Sales of the Niro compact crossover SUV soared by 14.4 times to 2,752 units. The company offers only hybrid and plug-in hybrid trims of the model in the US.

Its SUVs such as the Sportage and Sorento made up 72% of its total sales.

The healthy September performance raised Kia’s sales in the third quarter by 14% to 210,341 units, the largest for such a period.

“With the best-ever performance through Q3, 14 straight months of year-over-year growth, and sales of our SUV and electrified offerings continuing to gain market share, Kia is ahead of the curve and delivering the vehicles customers want, particularly in the highly competitive segments,” said Eric Watson, Kia America vice president for sales. “As we enter the fourth quarter, we are confident our mix of world-class models will continue to attract new customers and keep current ones coming back.”

Its sales for the first nine months of the year increased 17% to 604,674 vehicles, exceeding Hyundai’s sales.

If Kia maintains its current sales growth until the end of the year, the company may beat its larger affiliate on annual US sales for the first time.

Write to Il-Gue Kim at black0419@hankyung.com
 

Jongwoo Cheon edited this article.