Korean car brands continued their strong sales momentum in April 2025, driven by sustained demand for popular SUV models despite a slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) sales.
According to monthly sales data released on May 1, Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis each posted double-digit sales growth, marking the seventh consecutive month of record-breaking sales. The three brands collectively sold 162,615 units, a 16% increase from April 2024.
SUVs Lead Growth, EVs Decline
SUV and select sedan models drove the strong performance. Hyundai Tucson and Santa Fe, along with Kia Sportage and Telluride, recorded significant gains. However, EV sales dipped, weighed down by slowing demand and reduced government incentives.
Hyundai Motor America sold 81,503 vehicles in April 2025, up 19% from the same month last year. The Tucson was its top seller with 22,054 units, a 41% rise, accounting for 27% of total sales. The Santa Fe also saw strong demand, growing 28% to 12,417 units. In sedans, the Sonata climbed 12%, while the Elantra jumped 30%.
In contrast, Hyundai’s EV lineup saw declines. The Ioniq 5 dropped 8% to 3,411 units, and the Ioniq 6 fell 12%.
Kia America reported April 2025 sales of 74,805 vehicles, a 14% year-over-year increase. The Sportage led with 16,178 units, up 18%, and the Telluride grew 21% to 10,860 units. In the sedan segment, the K5 recorded a sharp surge of 1,776% with 6,248 units sold, while the North America-focused K4 posted a modest 6% gain but maintained strong volume at 13,097 units.
Kia’s EV sales lagged. The EV9 fell sharply to 232 units, and the EV6 registered just 656 units.
Genesis Posts 15% Gain
Genesis sold 6,307 units in April 2025, a 15% increase from the previous year. The GV70 led the way with a 67% jump in sales, while the flagship G90 rose 55%. The newly launched GV80 Coupe made its debut with 322 units sold. However, other models, including the G70, GV60 EV, and GV70 EV, saw double-digit declines compared to April 2024.
The April 2025 results highlight the continued popularity of midsize SUVs, even as Korean EV models face headwinds in the U.S. market.
BY HOONSIK WOO [woo.hoonsik@koreadaily.com]
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