Automakers Report Robust January Sales Results

New vehicle sales were up 2.2 percent for all of 2025, according to Cox Automotive Inc. The company predicted new vehicle sales in January would be up 3.2 percent, but the early returns suggest better-than-expected results. Subaru will report later Tuesday, while Ford will report tomorrow. All numbers are month-over-month basis.

Kia America was the biggest winner last month, with sales rising 13 percent year over year. The Carnival (+60 percent); Sportage (+23 percent); K5 (+8 percent); Telluride (+7 percent); Seltos (+6 percent) and K4 (+2 percent) all set new records for January.

And in what should be expected through the first nine months of the year — unless something dramatic happens — the brand’s electric vehicle sales cratered with the EV9 and EV6 down more than 50 percent combined. Kia officials expressed confidence in 2026 sales.

“With the all-new flagship 2027 Telluride SUV, now available with a hybrid variant, and the highly anticipated K4 hatchback arriving in showrooms soon, 2026 will once again prove the value of offering a balanced lineup to U.S. customers and we are confident that our upward trajectory will continue,” said Eric Watson, vice president, sales operations, Kia America, in a release.

Hyundai North America reported a 2 percent jump to 55,624 vehicles, and it was the company’s SUV lineup that offset losses by the company’s sedans and electric vehicles. The new Palisade was a big hit in January with sales rising 29 percent, according to the company. The Kona, Santa Fe, and Venue all posted increases of 9 percent or higher. Hyundai’s Genesis luxury unit reported a 6.6 percent rise in January.

While EV sales for Hyundai fell, hybrids were in big demand — another trend consumers and automakers should expect to continue. 

“Hybrid demand was the star of the month, up more than 60 percent, showing just how strongly customers are embracing the strength, efficiency and advanced technology of our electrified lineup,” said Randy Parker, CEO of Hyundai North America, in a release.

Toyota North America also reported a big jump as its January sales rose 8.1 percent. Toyota division rose 7 percent year over year, and Lexus was even better at 14.8 percent. Although SUVs are the big sellers in the U.S. — and Toyota does have the bestselling non-truck in America with the RAV4 — it was cars that led the way last month, rising 10.2 percent. Toyota’s truck and SUVs did just fine, reporting 9.5 percent and 3 percent increases, respectively. 

American Honda sales rose 1.9 percent compared to the year-ago period, with its car lineup posting a 14.2 percent increase. That more than balanced the 3.5 percent drop in truck and SUV sales. Acura sales rose 3.8 percent.

The outlier in January? Mazda sales fell 14 percent last month, despite the fact it was the company’s third-best January in history, officials noted. The Japanese automaker saw sales declines on the CX-90, CX-70, CX-5, CX-30, Miata and Mazda3. Actually, the only vehicle to be in the black was the CX-50, which increased 58.1 percent. It was the best January on record for the CX-50.

[Images: Hyundai, Kia, Mazda]

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