How Did Hyundai and Kia Achieve Record US Market Share in 2025?

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How Did Hyundai and Kia Achieve Record US Market Share in 2025?

Synopsis

Hyundai and Kia have set a new benchmark in the U.S. automotive market for 2025 with record-breaking sales. Despite facing challenges from tariffs, their strategic local production and hybrid vehicle sales have led to significant market growth. Discover how these South Korean giants navigated the competitive landscape to achieve this milestone.

Key Takeaways

  • Hyundai and Kia achieved a record market share of 11.3% in the U.S.
  • They sold a combined total of 1.84 million vehicles in 2025.
  • Strong hybrid vehicle sales surged by 48.8% to 331,023 units.
  • Hyundai's third U.S. plant in Georgia enhances local production.
  • The group plans to increase production capacity to over 1.2 million vehicles.

Seoul, Jan 18 (NationPress) In 2025, Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia achieved an unprecedented combined market share in the United States, thanks to increased domestic production and robust sales of hybrid vehicles, despite the imposition of tariff measures by Washington, officials reported on Sunday.

The two South Korean automotive giants sold a total of 1.84 million vehicles in the U.S. last year, claiming a record market share of 11.3%, as per data from market analyst Wards Intelligence and various industry sources, according to Yonhap news agency.

Hyundai represented 6.1% of the U.S. market with sales totaling 984,017 units, while Kia accounted for a 5.2% share with 852,155 vehicles sold.

The automotive group secured the fourth position in the U.S. market last year, following General Motors at 17.5%, Toyota Motor Corp. at 15.5%, and Ford Motor Co. at 13.1%.

This increase in market share can be attributed to a significant surge in sales.

Total auto sales in the U.S. rose by 2.4% to 16.23 million vehicles in 2025, while Hyundai and Kia experienced a 7.5% increase in their sales.

Analysts noted that the group gained from a flexible production approach and chose to absorb tariff-related costs instead of passing them on to consumers.

Last year, Hyundai finished constructing its third U.S. manufacturing facility in Georgia, enhancing its capacity to meet local demand and mitigate tariff impacts. Vehicle shipments from South Korea to the U.S. declined by 4.2% year-on-year in 2025.

The remarkable sales of hybrid vehicles further contributed to the increase in market share, with U.S. hybrid sales for the automakers soaring by 48.8% to 331,023 units last year, as indicated by the data.

The group has declared its intention to boost U.S. production capacity to over 1.2 million vehicles, up from approximately 700,000 by 2024, as reported.

Point of View

It's essential to recognize the resilience of Hyundai and Kia amidst challenging tariff conditions. Their ability to innovate and adapt to market demands while absorbing costs showcases their commitment to consumers and the U.S. market. This achievement signifies a robust outlook for the future of the automotive industry in America.
NationPress
19/01/2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What factors contributed to Hyundai and Kia's market share growth?
The growth was driven by increased local production, strong hybrid vehicle sales, and a decision to absorb tariff-related costs.
How many vehicles did Hyundai and Kia sell in 2025?
Hyundai and Kia sold a combined total of 1.84 million vehicles in the U.S. in 2025.
What was the total U.S. auto sales figure in 2025?
Total U.S. auto sales rose by 2.4% to 16.23 million vehicles in 2025.
What is Hyundai's future production capacity plan?
Hyundai plans to expand its U.S. production capacity to over 1.2 million vehicles by 2024.
What percentage of the U.S. market did Hyundai and Kia capture?
Hyundai and Kia captured a record market share of 11.3% in the U.S. automotive market.
Nation Press