Hyundai Motor America recorded its strongest first quarter in company history, selling 205,388 vehicles during Q1 2026, up 1% from 203,554 vehicles in the prior-year period as strong demand for SUVs and electrified vehicles supported growth.
Hybrid-electric vehicle sales increased 61% during the first quarter, while Hyundai’s March hybrid sales jumped 50% year over year, producing the company’s best March ever for hybrid-electric vehicles.
March overall sales totaled 84,087 vehicles, down 3% from 87,019 a year earlier. Hyundai attributed the comparison partly to unusually strong industry sales pulled forward during March 2025.
The company’s electrified portfolio delivered several major gains during March. Sonata Hybrid sales increased 150%, Elantra Hybrid sales rose 92% and Santa Fe Hybrid sales increased 31%.
The all-electric IONIQ 5 recorded its best-ever March, with sales increasing 13% to 4,425 vehicles. First-quarter IONIQ 5 sales increased 14% to 9,790 vehicles.
Hybrid growth was even stronger across several nameplates for the full quarter. Elantra Hybrid sales increased 141%, Sonata Hybrid rose 107% and Santa Fe Hybrid increased 47%.
Hyundai’s SUV lineup also contributed to the record quarter. Santa Fe total sales increased 6% to 33,343 vehicles, Palisade sales increased 6% to 27,704 and Tucson sales increased 1% to 55,426 vehicles. Venue sales increased 12% to 6,761.
The quarter came as Hyundai marked 40 years since its first U.S. vehicle sale. The company has grown from 161 dealers to more than 855 nationwide, sold more than 900,000 vehicles in the U.S. during 2025 and has delivered more than 17 million vehicles to U.S. customers since entering the market.
Hyundai Motor Group is also investing $26 billion in the U.S. from 2025 through 2028, alongside operations that include Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America and several research and development facilities.
KEY QUOTE:
“Hyundai closed the first quarter with a 1 percent year-over-year increase in total sales, delivering the strongest first quarter in our history and underscoring the resilience of our business in a highly competitive market,” said Randy Parker, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor North America. “That growth reflects the strength of our balanced portfolio strategy, led by strong demand for our SUVs and record results across our hybrid electric and electrified lineup. With the support of our dealers and the confidence of our customers, Hyundai continues to build sustainable momentum across every powertrain and key segment.”
Randy Parker, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America
