Hyundai Motor and Kia set an all-time January sales record in the United States, led by sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) and hybrid cars.
Hyundai Motor and Kia said on the 4th that they sold a combined 125,296 vehicles in the United States in January, up 7.7% from a year earlier. Hyundai Motor, including Genesis (5,170 units, up 6.6%), sold 60,794 units, up 2.4%, and Kia sold 64,502 units, up 13.1%. Both were the highest January sales on record.
At Hyundai Motor, the large SUV Palisade sold 8,604 units, up 28.7% from the same period a year earlier. The Palisade has been gaining popularity in the United States, including winning the utility category of the "2026 North American Car of the Year (NACTOY)," known as the Oscars of the auto industry. In addition, the small SUV Kona sold 5,321 units, up 21.9% from a year earlier.
At Kia, the small SUV Seltos recorded 5,278 units, up 85.8% from a year earlier. The large recreational vehicle (RV) Carnival rose 60.4% to 5,879 units, and the small SUV Niro sold 3,170 units, up 163.7%. The midsize sedan K5 sold 6,276 units, up 44% from the same period a year earlier.
At Genesis, sales of the midsize-large SUV GV80 (1,945 units) and the midsize SUV GV70 (2,220 units) rose 21.3% and 9.8%, respectively, driving the brand's sales.
Looking at Hyundai Motor and Kia's total sales by powertrain (drivetrain), hybrid vehicles totaled 27,498 units, up 65.7% from a year earlier. Hyundai Motor (14,316 units) rose 51.9%, and Kia (13,173 units) rose 83.8%. However, electric vehicle sales for the two companies combined fell 33.7% to 4,471 units.
Total eco-friendly vehicle sales reached 31,960 units, up 36.9% from the same period a year earlier. Eco-friendly vehicles accounted for 25.5% of Hyundai Motor and Kia's sales.