Hyundai, Kia US sales climb 5% in July on hybrid and SUV demand
Synopsis
Hyundai Motor Group's US sales rose 5% in July, but the real headline is the electrification surge — nearly one in three vehicles sold was eco-friendly, up 24.7% year-on-year. Meanwhile, the group is on track to break the 200,000 annual EV sales barrier in Europe for the first time, having already crossed the 1 million cumulative mark.
Key Takeaways
Hyundai Motor Group US sales rose 5 percent year-on-year in July 2026 , totalling over 165,000 vehicles .
Hyundai Motor America sold 89,427 vehicles , up 3.7% ; Kia America sold 75,857 vehicles , up 6.7% .
Eco-friendly vehicle sales jumped 24.7% to 50,937 units , representing 30.8% of total US sales.
Hyundai and Kia sold 131,032 EVs in Europe in the first half of 2026, up 41.8% from the prior half.
Cumulative EV sales in Europe crossed 1 million units through May 2026 ; annual sales could exceed 200,000 for the first time.
Hyundai Motor Group reported a 5 percent year-on-year rise in combined US sales in July 2026, driven by strong demand for hybrid and sport utility vehicles. The South Korean automaker's two brands together sold over 165,000 vehicles in the American market last month, reinforcing their position among the top non-domestic automakers in the US.
Hyundai America's July Performance
Hyundai Motor America sold 89,427 vehicles in July, a gain of 3.7 percent from the same month a year ago. Of these, 6,947 units were luxury Genesis models. The Tucson led Hyundai's lineup as its bestselling model with 19,714 units, followed by the Elantra at 17,115 units and the Santa Fe at 13,373 units.
Kia Posts Stronger Growth
Kia America outpaced its sister brand, recording a 6.7 percent on-year increase to 75,857 vehicles sold in July. The Sportage remained Kia's top seller at 16,083 units, with the K4 close behind at 12,094 units and the Telluride rounding out the top three at 11,816 units.
Eco-Friendly Vehicles Surge 24.7 Percent
Combined sales of eco-friendly vehicles — including hybrids and EVs — by Hyundai Motor and Kia jumped 24.7 percent on-year to 50,937 units in July, accounting for 30.8 percent of their total US sales. This marks a significant shift in consumer preference within the segment, with nearly one in three vehicles sold by the group being electrified.
European EV Sales Hit Record Pace
Beyond the US, Hyundai and Kia sold a combined 131,032 electric vehicles in Europe during the first half of 2026 — up a sharp 41.8 percent from 92,365 units in the previous half. Kia's EV3 compact SUV led the charge with 27,121 units, followed by Hyundai's Inster subcompact SUV at 16,594 units and Kia's EV4 sedan at 14,502 units.
At the current sales pace, the companies expect annual EV sales in Europe to surpass 200,000 units for the first time since they entered the European EV market in 2014. Their cumulative EV sales in Europe crossed the 1 million unit milestone through May 2026, up from 183,912 units recorded in all of 2025. The group first crossed the 100,000 annual EV sales mark in Europe in 2021, and volumes have risen steadily since.
Point of View
But the more consequential number is 30.8% — the share of eco-friendly vehicles in Hyundai-Kia's US mix. That is not a niche figure anymore; it signals a structural shift in buyer behaviour that rivals Detroit and Japan are watching closely. In Europe, the 41.8% half-on-half EV jump suggests the group is benefiting disproportionately from tightening EU emissions rules and competitors' slower EV ramp. The risk is US tariff exposure: any escalation in auto import duties could squeeze margins precisely when the group is scaling its most profitable electrified models.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Hyundai Motor Group's US sales grow in July 2026?
Hyundai Motor Group's combined US sales rose 5 percent year-on-year in July 2026, with Hyundai Motor America selling 89,427 vehicles (up 3.7%) and Kia America selling 75,857 vehicles (up 6.7%).
Which were the bestselling Hyundai and Kia models in the US in July 2026?
The Hyundai Tucson led with 19,714 units, followed by the Elantra (17,115) and Santa Fe (13,373). For Kia, the Sportage topped the chart at 16,083 units, ahead of the K4 (12,094) and Telluride (11,816).
How are Hyundai and Kia performing on electric vehicle sales in Europe?
The two brands sold 131,032 EVs in Europe in the first half of 2026, up 41.8% from the prior half. At this pace, annual European EV sales are expected to exceed 200,000 units for the first time. Cumulative EV sales in Europe crossed 1 million units through May 2026.
What share of Hyundai-Kia's US sales were eco-friendly vehicles in July?
Eco-friendly vehicles accounted for 30.8% of combined US sales in July 2026, with 50,937 units sold — a 24.7% jump year-on-year.
Which EV model led Hyundai-Kia's European sales in the first half of 2026?
The Kia EV3 compact SUV was the top seller with 27,121 units, followed by the Hyundai Inster subcompact SUV (16,594 units) and the Kia EV4 sedan (14,502 units).
