Hyundai, Kia see strong H1 sales in U.S. market

[KIA Telluride News]

Hyundai Motor Co. and affiliate Kia Motors Corp. said Friday they posted a 2.7 percent on-year increase in U.S. sales in the first half of the year, helped by robust demand for their SUVs.

In the January-June period, Hyundai and Kia sold a combined 638,172 vehicles in the United States, up from 621,349 units a year earlier, according to their sales data.

Hyundai's U.S. sales rose 1.7 percent on-year to 333,328 units in the first six months and Kia's climbed 3.8 percent to 304,844 units over the cited period, the data showed.

In particular, Hyundai reported a sales increase in the U.S. market for the 11th consecutive month in June, driven by strong sales of the Palisade, Santa Fe and Kona SUVs.

"June was a momentous month for Hyundai as we started sales of our flagship and most premium SUV ever, the Palisade. While there is some overall industry slowing, we continue to outperform the market and increase our share as our product mix is aligning with consumers' SUV preferences, along with a versatile lineup of cars and alternative-powered vehicles," Randy Parker, vice president in charge of national sales at Hyundai Motor America, said in a statement.

Last month, Hyundai's sales went up 1.5 percent on-year to 64,202 units and Kia's were also up 0.4 percent to 56,801 helped by the Telluride SUV, which was launched this year in the U.S. market, the data showed.

The Telluride is produced at Kia's U.S. plant and sold only in North American market.

"Kia outpaced the industry throughout the first half thanks in part to overwhelming demand for the all-new Telluride. Kia is carrying a lot of momentum into the third quarter, and we are confident our upward trajectory will continue throughout the remainder of the year," Bill Peffer, vice president in charge of sales operations at Kia Motors America, said in a statement.

Hyundai and Kia, which together form the world's fifth-biggest carmaker by sales, expect their strengthened SUV lineup will continue to drive up U.S. sales in the second half.

 

[Knubearit]

I've owned my Telluride for over 2 months. Great suv but very poor finish. Exterior paint miss, warped interior lift back molding. Found 2 ground wires in engine compartment barely attached, fixed on my own. Exterior chrome trim had to be fitted. Poorly attached bottom door extension . I would not suggest to drive on the dirt road, unless your willing to re attached loosened exterior parts. This is the worse fitting of all Korean vehicle that I've purchased in the past 15 years.