Hyundai Motor and Kia posted their highest-ever first-quarter sales in the U.S. Although March sales dipped slightly from a year earlier, hybrids and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) remained strong throughout the quarter, sustaining overall growth.
According to Hyundai Motor Group on the 2nd, Hyundai Motor and Kia sold a combined 168,012 vehicles in the U.S. last month, down 2.7% from a year earlier. Hyundai Motor fell 2.8% to 91,504 units, and Kia slipped 2.6% to 76,508. Genesis, which is included under Hyundai Motor, rose 4.3% to 7,417.
Including March results, first-quarter sales for Hyundai Motor and Kia totaled 430,720, up 2.6% from a year earlier. Hyundai Motor increased 1.2% to 223,705 units, and Kia rose 4.1% to 207,015. Both companies set their best-ever first-quarter sales. Genesis sold 18,317 vehicles in the first quarter, also up 4.6%.
The strong first-quarter performance was largely driven by hybrids. Together, Hyundai Motor and Kia sold 97,627 hybrids, up 53.2% from a year earlier. Hyundai Motor sold 55,416 units, up 55% year over year, and Kia sold 42,211, up 51%.
However, electric vehicle sales for Hyundai Motor and Kia combined fell 21.6% to 18,086 units. Total eco-friendly vehicle sales in the first quarter reached 115,713, up 33.3% from a year earlier. Their share of total vehicles also reached 26.8%.
By model, SUVs remain strong. At Hyundai Motor, the "Tucson" led with 55,426 units, followed by the "Santa Fe" (33,343) and "Elantra" (33,063). At Kia, the "Sportage" ranked first with 44,704 units, while the "K4" (37,220) and "Telluride" (35,928) also performed well.
Meanwhile, major rivals generally struggled in the U.S. in the first quarter. Toyota (569,420, -0.1%) held roughly steady from a year earlier, but Honda (336,830, -4.2%), Subaru (141,944, -15%), and Mazda (94,473, -14.4%) saw declines in sales.