Hyundai, Kia enjoy record January US sales on eco-friendly cars

South Korea’s top automaker Hyundai Motor Co. and its affiliate Kia Corp. saw their US sales in January rise to record highs thanks to the growing popularity of their eco-friendly models such as hybrids and electric vehicles.

Hyundai said on Saturday its US sales increased 14.6% to 54,503 units last month from a year earlier. The latest figure represents its record US sales for January, according to the company.

“From the strong retail and total sales performance of the Santa Fe HEV, Tucson HEV, IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 to record-setting results in HEV and EV vehicle sales, we continue to see incredible demand for our electrified and ICE products,” said Hyundai Motor North America CEO Randy Parker.

The HEV stands for a hybrid electric vehicle and ICE for internal combustion engine.

Sales of the midsize sport utility vehicle Sante Fe’s hybrid electric version surged 160% last month and those of the compact SUV Tucson’s similar trim jumped 89%. The IONIQ 5 and the IONIQ 6, Hyundai’s all-electric SUV and sedan, reported increases of 54% and 15%, respectively.

Hyundai sold 4,757 units of the Sonata midsize sedan, up 52% on-year.

K4, EV6

Kia also said its sales rose 11.6% to 57,007 vehicles, which also marks its highest-ever US sales for January.

Sales of the K4 compact four-door sedan (previously the Forte), grew 29.4% to 11,616 units, according to the company. The K4 is a new nameplate for Kia in North America and this model replaces the Forte.

Kia sold 1,542 units of the all-electric compact crossover SUV EV6, up 27%. Sales of the Carnival minivan increased 22%, while those of the Telluride large SUV and the Sportage compact SUV rose 16% and 14%, respectively.

“Kia commenced the year with record sales characterized by double-digit growth and aims to reach new heights in the US with our robust lineup of innovative ICE, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles,” said Eric Watson, vice president of Kia America.

Write to Gil-Sung Yang at vertigo@hankyung.com
 
Jongwoo Cheon edited this article.