Hyundai Reaches 17 Million Cumulative Sales in U.S. After 39 Years; Best-Selling Model Is "Elantra"

Hyundai Surpasses 17 Million Cumulative Sales in the U.S. as of May
Hyundai's Performance Excludes Genesis Brand
Elantra Becomes Hyundai's All-Time Best-Selling Model in the U.S.
Praised for Reasonable Pricing and Stylish Design

Hyundai Motor Company has reached a cumulative sales milestone of 17 million vehicles in the United States, 39 years after entering the market in 1986. This achievement is the result of the sustained recognition of the value of popular models such as the Avante (marketed locally as the Elantra), Sonata, and Tucson in the U.S. market. However, due to the impact of U.S. tariff policies, recent sales growth in the local market has been limited to an 8% increase compared to the same month last year, increasing marketing pressures. Hyundai plans to expand local production and implement flexible pricing strategies tailored to market demand as part of its efforts to strengthen its presence in the U.S. market.

On June 3 (local time), Hyundai Motor America announced that its cumulative sales as of May had reached 17,033,027 units, surpassing the 17 million mark. This figure excludes Genesis and counts only vehicles sold under the 'Hyundai' brand. Notably, six popular models?Elantra, Sonata, Tucson, Santa Fe, Accent, and Excel?have each surpassed cumulative sales of one million units.

The best-selling model is the Elantra (local name). The Elantra has consistently enjoyed popularity among American consumers due to its reasonable price, advanced convenience and safety features, stylish design, and a diverse eco-friendly lineup. The Elantra was also selected as the best car in the $25,000 to $30,000 price range in the "Best Cars for Teens" ranking by U.S. News & World Report.

Hyundai entered the U.S. market in January 1986 by exporting the Pony Excel (marketed locally as the Excel), produced at its Ulsan plant. In its early days, the Excel caused a sensation in the U.S. market, ranking first in annual imported compact car sales in 1987. The record of 263,610 units sold that year remains unbroken to this day.

However, the rapid increase in export volume led to quality issues, causing market share to decline. After struggling in the U.S. market for a decade, Hyundai made a bold move in 1999 with an unprecedented policy: the "10-year/100,000-mile" warranty, spearheaded by Honorary Chairman Chung Mongkoo. Compared to the average warranty of "2 years/24,000 miles" offered by competitors at the time, this was a groundbreaking response. American consumers interpreted this long warranty as a sign of product reliability and confidence. As a result, Hyundai's U.S. export volume soared from 80,000 units in 1998 to 850,000 units in 2004.

Hyundai has since diversified its lineup to include SUVs, eco-friendly vehicles, and even the luxury Genesis brand. In 2017, the company launched the Ioniq electric vehicle, marking its entry into the U.S. EV market. In 2022, Hyundai introduced the Ioniq 5, based on its dedicated E-GMP electric platform, and also launched Genesis brand EVs such as the G80 Electrified and GV60.

Last year, Hyundai established Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia and began full-scale operations. Mass production started in October last year, and since March this year, Hyundai has been producing its flagship electric SUV, the Ioniq 9, locally in the United States.

Through HMGMA, Hyundai is maximizing production flexibility and pursuing a strategy of bringing marketable products to market through continuous technological development. Hyundai CEO Jose Munoz emphasized, "We are pushing the boundaries of mobility technology not only to provide transportation, but also to create a future where humanity can move more safely and conveniently."