Hyundai Motor and Kia set a record for their highest-ever February sales in the U.S. last month. Hybrid cars rose more than 56% from the same period a year earlier, driving overall results.
On the 4th, Hyundai Motor Group said it sold 137,412 vehicles in the U.S. last month, up 5% from a year earlier. Hyundai Motor sold 71,407 vehicles, up 5.7%, and Kia sold 66,006, up 4.3%. The Hyundai Motor figure includes Genesis, which rose 3.3% to 5,730.
Both Hyundai Motor and Kia broke their previous records for February sales. In particular, Hyundai Motor has set all-time monthly sales records for three consecutive months from December to last month. This was thanks to strong sales of midsize and large sport-utility vehicles (SUVs). At Hyundai Motor, the Palisade sold 10,025 units, up 28.4% from a year earlier, and the Santa Fe sold 11,344, up 18.6%.
For Kia, the Telluride rose 68.7% to 13,198 units. In addition, the K5 (6,053 units, up 60.6%) and the Carnival (5,805 units, up 65.4%) also posted strong results. At Genesis, the GV70 climbed 14.8% to 2,628 units, leading overall brand sales.
Across the group, hybrid cars contributed significantly to the results. Hyundai Motor and Kia sold 29,279 hybrid vehicles, up 56.4% from a year earlier. Hyundai Motor increased 73.5% to 18,374 units, and Kia rose 34% to 10,905.
However, electric vehicle sales fell to 5,576 units, down 21.9%, with Hyundai Motor at 4,030 (down 3.3%) and Kia at 1,546 (down 48%). As a result, the group's total EV sales were 5,576, down 21.9%.