Hyundai Motor, Kia post record October sales in US on hybrid surge

Hyundai Motor and Kia each set all-time October sales records in the United States last month, with their combined tally surpassing 153,000 units. Kia's hybrid vehicle sales more than doubled from a year earlier, as demand for SUVs and hybrids drove continued growth for both automakers in the American market.

According to sales results released Tuesday (local time) by the US units of both companies, the two brands together sold 153,460 vehicles in October, up 10.3 percent from 139,120 units in the same month last year. Hyundai Motor sold 73,452 units and Kia sold 80,008 units, with both setting new October records.

Hyundai Motor's October sales rose 5 percent from a year earlier. Retail sales to individual customers reached 62,646 units, a 9 percent increase and a new October record.

SUVs led the charge for Hyundai Motor. The Santa Fe sold 17,959 units, jumping 52 percent from the same period last year, while the Palisade posted a 14 percent gain to 10,840 units — both models setting new October records.

The Kona rose 21 percent to 6,029 units, and the Elantra sedan climbed 17 percent to 12,011 units. The Tucson, however, slipped 23 percent to 17,808 units, reflecting uneven performance across the lineup.

Hybrid sales were a standout. Hyundai Motor's hybrid vehicle sales rose 20 percent year on year in October, reaching an all-time October high and accounting for 29 percent of total sales — roughly one in three Hyundai Motor vehicles sold in the US last month was a hybrid.

Cumulative hybrid sales for January through October climbed 50 percent from the same period last year. The Santa Fe and Palisade hybrid models each set new October sales records, underpinning the broader growth trend.

On the electric vehicle front, the Ioniq 5 rebounded, with October sales rising 21 percent year on year to 1,981 units. Cumulative EV sales through October stood at 33,093 units, however, down 23 percent from the same period last year — a sharp contrast to the hybrid trajectory.

Kia's growth outpaced Hyundai Motor's. The brand sold 80,008 vehicles in the US in October, up 16 percent from 69,002 units a year earlier, extending its streak of monthly sales records to six consecutive months.

Retail sales reached 68,926 units, up 20 percent year on year and a new all-time October high.

Kia's hybrid vehicle sales jumped 114 percent from October last year, and total electrified vehicle sales — including both EVs and hybrids — surged 112 percent. Both categories set new sales records.

By model, Sorento hybrid sales jumped 122 percent year on year, while Carnival hybrid sales rose 88 percent and Sportage hybrid sales climbed 57 percent. The Sportage and Carnival hybrids each posted their best-ever monthly sales figures.

SUV sales were also strong. The full-size Telluride sold 14,009 units, up 63 percent from a year earlier, while the Sportage moved 17,977 units — a 12 percent gain — to become Kia's top-selling model in October. The Seltos rose 43 percent to 8,052 units.

Five models — the Telluride, Seltos, Carnival, K4 and Sportage — each set new October sales records. The Telluride went further, setting an all-time monthly sales record.

Electric vehicle sales also improved. The full-size electric SUV EV9 sold 1,406 units, up 111 percent, while the EV6 rose 58 percent to 803 units. The EV3, a more affordable electric SUV that recently launched in the US, sold 976 units.

The strong monthly results fed into cumulative annual figures. Hyundai Motor's US sales for January through October reached 770,916 units, up 3 percent from the same period last year. Kia sold 747,394 units over the same period, a 6 percent increase. Combined, the two brands have sold approximately 1.52 million vehicles in the US so far this year, up about 4.5 percent from a year earlier.

Hybrids have grown increasingly important in the US auto market as consumers seek alternatives that address fuel costs and shifting electrification demand. Both Hyundai Motor and Kia have been expanding their hybrid lineups alongside pure EVs to serve a broader range of buyers.

Hyundai Motor recently unveiled a next-generation hybrid system in the redesigned Tucson and announced plans to launch it in North America in 2027. Kia, meanwhile, has begun selling the more affordable EV3 electric SUV in the US, broadening its electrified lineup.

Hyundai Motor President and CEO Jose Munoz said on LinkedIn that despite a very challenging market environment, the company's products and organization were delivering strong results. "We are increasing local production in the markets where we sell our vehicles and offering a wide range of powertrain options that meet customer demand," he said. "The increase in hybrid sales is a direct result of this strategy."

Munoz added that Hyundai Motor's US operations had recorded their best-ever October performance, with hybrid sales up 20 percent and accounting for 29 percent of total sales. "With strong momentum and a solid pipeline of new vehicles, there are great opportunities ahead," he said.

Eric Watson, vice president of sales at Kia America, said the company was on track for a fourth consecutive annual sales record after setting monthly records for six straight months. "Our expanding hybrid lineup, the launch of the new EV3, and the success of the new Telluride and Seltos are all adding to our momentum," he said.

"I am confident this record-setting sales pace will carry through the fourth quarter and into next year," Watson added.