Hyundai Motor and Kia set new all-time July sales records in the US market. Hybrid vehicle sales surged more than 50%, driving overall performance, while EV sales declined sharply amid the phase-out of federal tax credits.

Hyundai and Kia said on August 3 that they sold a combined 165,284 vehicles in the US last month, up 5.0% from the same period a year earlier. Hyundai (including Genesis) sold 89,427 units, up 3.7%, while Kia sold 75,857 units, up 6.7%. Both companies posted their best-ever July sales figures in the US market.

By model, Hyundai’s flagship Elantra saw sales jump 38.5% to 17,115 units, while Tucson rose 20.2% to 19,714 units. Santa Fe sold 13,373 units. At Kia, Sportage climbed 11.7% to 16,083 units, Telluride rose 13.5% to 11,816 units, and Carnival jumped 22.8% to 7,279 units, extending the SUV-led sales momentum. K4 sales reached 12,094 units.

Premium brand Genesis delivered 6,947 units (up 3.9%), with GV70 at 2,985 units and GV80 at 2,372 units.

Eco-friendly vehicles led overall results. Hyundai and Kia’s July eco-friendly vehicle sales totaled 50,937 units, up 24.7% from a year earlier. Of those, hybrid vehicles surged 52.2% to 43,727 units. Hyundai sold 22,733 hybrids (up 35%), while Kia sold 20,994 (up 76.6%).

EV sales, however, fell 40.5% to 7,210 units due to the expiration of tax credits. Hyundai sold 4,545 EVs (down 46.1%), and Kia sold 2,665 (down 27.7%). By brand, Hyundai (including Genesis) sold 27,278 eco-friendly vehicles, up 7.9%, while Kia sold 23,659, up 51.9%. Eco-friendly vehicles accounted for 30.8% of Hyundai and Kia’s total US sales.

CategoryJuly SalesYoY ChangeHyundai (incl. Genesis)89,427 units+3.7%Kia75,857 units+6.7%Hybrid vehicles43,727 units+52.2%EVs7,210 units-40.5%

Note: Based on Hyundai and Kia’s July US market performance.

Industry analysts attribute this sales mix to the US government’s reduced EV tax credit policy, which has dampened EV demand, while consumers prioritizing fuel efficiency and practicality have shifted en masse toward hybrids. Notably, Kia’s hybrid sales growth rate far outpaced Hyundai’s.

Hyundai and Kia plan to sustain their North American growth momentum through an expanded hybrid lineup and an SUV-centric sales strategy. This July’s results underscore both the continued strength of hybrid demand and the lingering uncertainty in the EV market.