Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp. achieved record-breaking U.S. vehicle sales in February, fueled by strong consumer interest in sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and hybrid vehicles, the companies announced on Wednesday.
The combined sales for the South Korean automakers reached 137,412 vehicles in the U.S. last month, a 5 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to company reports.
Hyundai Motor, including its Genesis luxury brand, reported sales of 71,407 units, a 5.7 percent year-over-year increase. Kia’s sales also saw a positive trend, rising 4.3 percent year-over-year to 66,005 units. Both Hyundai and Kia celebrated their best February sales figures to date.
Hyundai Motor’s success was largely attributed to high demand for its mid-size and large SUVs. The Palisade SUV experienced a significant surge, with sales increasing by 28.4 percent year-over-year to 10,025 units. Santa Fe SUV sales also contributed to the growth, rising by 18.6 percent to 11,344 units.
Kia’s sales growth was driven by substantial gains in key models. The Telluride SUV witnessed a remarkable 68.7 percent increase, reaching 13,198 units sold, while the K5 sedan also saw a significant boost, jumping 60.6 percent to 13,198 units.
