Hyundai Motor and Kia sold more than 920,000 vehicles in the U.S. market in the first half of this year, posting their highest first-half results ever. That was up 3% from the same period a year earlier and showed stronger growth than U.S. General Motors (GM) as well as rival Japanese corporations.
On the 2nd, Hyundai Motor and Kia said their U.S. sales in the first half of this year totaled 920,383 vehicles, up 3.0% from a year earlier. Hyundai Motor rose 2.7% to 489,656 units, and Kia increased 3.4% to 430,727 units. Genesis, which climbed 4.6% to 39,088 units, is included in Hyundai Motor's sales. Hyundai Motor, Kia and Genesis all logged their best first-half results ever.
The 3.0% first-half growth of Hyundai Motor and Kia far outpaced major automakers currently in the U.S. market. GM, a homegrown U.S. company, sold 1,335,461 vehicles, down 6.8%. Toyota Group reached 1,243,390, up only 0.5%. Elsewhere, Honda (756,920 units) and Nissan–Mitsubishi (539,820 units) rose 2.4% and 0.5%, respectively, falling short of the increase by Hyundai Motor and Kia.
Eco-friendly vehicles led Hyundai Motor and Kia's U.S. performance in the first half of this year, with sales jumping 47% to 265,514. It was the first time first-half sales of eco-friendly vehicles topped 250,000. Hyundai Motor and Kia accounted for 31.2% of total U.S. eco-friendly vehicle sales in the first half.
Among eco-friendly models, hybrid (HEV) sales increased sharply. HEVs alone totaled 225,321 units, up 65.5% from a year earlier. Hyundai Motor's HEVs rose 50.0% to 114,870 units, and Kia's HEVs climbed 85.3% to 110,451 units. Electric vehicles from Hyundai Motor and Kia totaled 40,193, down 9.7%.
By model, Tucson ranked first for Hyundai Motor with 117,612 units. Elantra, the U.S. name for Avante, followed with 79,839 units, and Santa Fe with 64,003. For Kia, Sportage sold the most at 94,907 units. In addition, K4 (73,579 units) and Telluride (77,302) ranked among the top sellers.
Looking only at June sales, Hyundai Motor rose 11.2% to 85,080 units, and Kia increased 10.4% to 70,507. Combined sales came to 155,587, up 10.8%. In particular, Hyundai Motor posted its best June since entering the U.S.