AUTONEWS

South Korean automakers record good sales in North America

South Korean automakers managed to weather a long sales drought in August, setting new record deliveries despite tight inventories.

Hyundai Motor America reported total August sales of 64,335 units, up 14% from August 2021. Santa Cruz sales led with sales increasing 132%, Venue and Santa Fe hybrid, Palisade and Tucson hybrid also set new August sales records as Hyundai achieved an all-time record retail sales in August, increasing 24% year on year.

Hyundai's eco-friendly retail sales are up 48% on the month, with the Elantra HEV enjoying its best sales ever.

Increasing Inventories…“We are seeing inventory begin to recover, which has resulted in strong sales this month,” Randy Parker, CEO of Hyundai Motor America, said in a statement. “Despite estimates of an overall industry decline, our sales were driven by high demand for our SUV and eco-vehicle product line.”

Genesis sales also increased 3% in August, setting a new record.

Kia America announced best August sales of 66,089 units, marking a 22% year-over-year increase. Kia SUVs continue to shine with the Sportage remaining the brand's best-selling model for the fifth consecutive month with 12,986 units sold, representing a 59% year-over-year increase.

Sorento SUV sales increased 114% year-over-year; and sales of the current generation Telluride continued to be strong, increasing 18% year-over-year and just months before the much-anticipated 2023 version hits retailers.

What's more, August sales of Kia's all-electric and hybrid models were up 151% year-over-year, outpacing the electrified options of its Hyundai brethren last month.

“In light of ongoing supply challenges across the industry, achieving our best-ever sales performance in August is testament to the strength of our product line, our dealers and our employees,” said Eric Watson, vice president of Kia America's sales operations in a statement. “We are optimistic that production through the end of the year will improve and further the success of our new Sportage, EV6, redesigned Telluride and more.”

Japanese brands lose ground...Toyota Motor North America, which saw its sales fall by double digits in early summer, reported sales of 169,626 vehicles in the US in August 2022, down 9.8% in volume. Toyota Division sales for the month totaled 147,873 vehicles, down 8.1%. Lexus Division sales for the month totaled 21,753 vehicles, down 20.1%.

TMNA's August 2022 electrified sales totaled 37,899 vehicles, down 25%, while CYTD 2022 total electrified vehicle sales represent 24.6% of TMNA's total sales, versus 23.9% CYTD 2021.

Meanwhile, Honda said sales were down 35.4% in August, with Acura's sales down 45% as the automaker said tight vehicle supplies again limited deliveries and the problem was exacerbated by limits on shipments. westbound by BNSF Railroad from assembly sites in the southeastern US to the west coast. Limits on westbound rail traffic prevailed throughout July, according to the railroad.

Joseph Szczesny from Detroit-USA