Hyundai Poised to Outsell Ford in U.S. This Quarter, Driven by Hybrids and Market Conditions

# What happened Cox Automotive's forecast indicates Hyundai Motor Group (Hyundai, Kia, Genesis) is on track to outsell Ford in the U.S. for the first time on a quarterly basis. The estimate covers July through September and, if accurate, would put Hyundai third in the quarterly rankings behind General Motors and Toyota, with Ford falling to fourth.

# The numbers

• General Motors and Toyota remain ahead in the quarter, with GM forecast at 671,706 and Toyota at 642,707.

# Why Hyundai is gaining ground

Hybrids allow buyers to keep interior space and features they want—Hyundai offers hybrid versions of larger SUVs such as the Palisade—so consumers don't have to choose a smaller vehicle to achieve better mileage. Hyundai also still sells multiple sedan models with hybrid variants, providing cheaper, more fuel-efficient choices for buyers who prioritize economy.

# Ford's challenges this quarter Ford's hybrid offerings are narrower. The Maverick and the F-150 have hybrid variants, but the Maverick is a smaller truck that doesn't suit everyone, and the F-150 hybrid's fuel economy gains are modest. EPA figures cited for the F-150 with the 2.7-liter V6 show a combined rating of 21 mpg versus 24 mpg for the hybrid option—an improvement that may take a long time to recoup given the hybrid's higher price.

Production issues have also affected Ford's results. A fire at an aluminum supplier disrupted F-150 production, limiting output of Ford's best-selling truck during the quarter.

Ford's EV strategy, including the upcoming Fathom and its Universal Electric Vehicle platform, aims to address future demand but does not materially help current quarterly sales.

# What to watch next

• Actual sales reports for the quarter to confirm whether Cox Automotive's forecast holds.
• Ford's ability to resolve supplier and production bottlenecks, particularly for the F-150.
• Consumer responses to Ford's upcoming EVs (Fathom) and whether they affect demand for current hybrid and conventional models.
• Hyundai's continued rollout of hybrid and EV models and whether that momentum sustains into future quarters.

# Bottom line A projected quarterly shift in U.S. sales rankings reflects both tactical product differences and changing market economics: Hyundai's broad hybrid lineup fits a market sensitive to fuel costs, while Ford's limited hybrid availability and production disruptions weakened its position this quarter.