Hyundai Motor Company and Kia set new January sales records in the U.S. market last month. Hybrid models drove this performance, with sales surging more than 60% year over year. However, electric vehicle sales declined by more than 30%, primarily due to the expiration of federal tax credits.
Hyundai Motor Group reported on Wednesday that its combined U.S. sales for Hyundai and Kia reached 125,296 units in January, a 7.7% increase from the same month last year. Hyundai (including Genesis) sold 60,794 units, up 2.4%, while Kia delivered 64,502 vehicles, a 13.1% jump. Both brands achieved their best-ever January sales. Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury marque, saw a 6.6% uptick with 5,170 units sold.
The Hyundai Palisade led the charge with 8,604 units sold, a 28.7% increase. Hyundai’s Kona crossover also performed well, with sales up 21.9% to 5,321 units. Kia’s Seltos compact SUV saw an impressive 85.8% growth, selling 5,278 units. The Kia Niro and K5 sedan also posted strong gains of 163.7% and 44%, respectively, selling 3,170 and 6,276 units. Genesis SUVs bolstered the luxury brand’s performance, with the GV80 selling 1,945 units (up 21.3%) and the GV70 moving 2,220 units (up 9.8%).
Hybrid vehicles were the standout performers, with sales soaring 65.7% to 27,489 units. Hyundai’s hybrid sales jumped 51.9% to 14,316 units, while Kia’s hybrid deliveries nearly doubled, up 83.8% to 13,173 units.
Total eco-friendly vehicle sales, including hybrids and EVs, reached 31,960 units, a 36.9% increase. However, pure electric vehicle sales declined 33.7% to 4,471 units. Hyundai’s EV sales dropped 17.1% to 3,092 units, while Kia’s EV deliveries plummeted 54.3% to 1,379 units.
Eco-friendly vehicles, comprising hybrids and electric cars, accounted for 25.5% of Hyundai and Kia’s total U.S. sales last month.