Hyundai reports record September and Q3 2025 sales growth

Hyundai Motor America posted record September 2025 and Q3 sales, with EV and HEV models driving growth and IONIQ 5 pricing lowered to boost demand.

Hyundai Motor America closed September and the third quarter of 2025 with historic records. Sales in September rose by 14% to 71,003 units, the best September result in the company’s history. In the third quarter, Hyundai delivered 239,069 vehicles, up 13% year over year and setting a new all-time quarterly record. Electrified models were the main growth driver: EV sales surged 153% in September, while hybrids climbed 48%. In retail, nearly four out of ten Hyundai vehicles sold were electrified.

The momentum was particularly strong for the IONIQ 5, Elantra, and Santa Fe, with IONIQ 5 retail sales jumping 151% in September. At the same time, some models lost ground: Sonata and Santa Cruz posted notable declines. This contrast reflects a broader shift in U.S. consumer preferences, where crossovers and electric vehicles increasingly dominate demand.

Hyundai is moving aggressively on pricing, cutting up to $9,800 from the 2026 IONIQ 5 depending on trim, while maintaining a $7,500 cash incentive for the 2025 model. These moves come as the federal EV tax credit expired at the end of September. Analysts observed a surge in EV sales during the third quarter as buyers rushed to secure incentives, and now caution that the market may face a slowdown. Hyundai, however, is attempting to offset this risk with affordability measures and expanded local production at its Georgia-based Metaplant.

Against this backdrop, U.S. results stand out globally. As of August, Hyundai’s worldwide sales growth was roughly 0.2%, while in the U.S. sales were up 11% year to date. This gap underlines the American market’s role as a central growth engine. Looking ahead, focus will turn to the rollout of new models such as the IONIQ 9 and to the execution of Hyundai’s long-term roadmap presented at the 2025 CEO Investor Day.