Hyundai Motor Company is projected to surpass Ford Motor Company in quarterly sales for the first time, according to forecasts from Cox Automotive. From July to September, Hyundai is expected to achieve a 6.5% increase in year-over-year sales, totaling approximately 511,421 units. In contrast, Ford is anticipated to report a 7.1% decline, selling around 504,172 vehicles during the same period. This potential shift would position Hyundai as the third best-selling automaker in the U.S., trailing only General Motors and Toyota Motor.
Cox Automotive has revised its overall 2026 sales forecast upward to 16.1 million units, indicating stronger-than-expected performance in the automotive sector. “The automotive market this year has been pretty resilient," stated Cox chief economist Jeremy Robb. Despite year-over-year declines in both new and used vehicle sales, the decreases are not substantial.
Ford has responded to the forecast, emphasizing its continued sales leadership through August and noting the rapid growth of South Korean imports like Hyundai, Kia, and increased production by GM from Korean facilities. The company highlighted that external factors such as tariffs and labor costs make manufacturing in Korea more advantageous than in the U.S.
Meanwhile, Hyundai’s strong U.S. performance can be attributed to effective product offerings and quality. CEO José Muñoz remarked that surpassing Ford isn’t a specific goal but would reflect Hyundai’s product focus.
Toyota is also poised to narrow the sales gap with GM, with forecasts indicating that the Japanese automaker may challenge GM’s position as the top U.S. seller by the end of the year.
Key Points:
- Why this story matters: The automotive sales landscape is shifting, with Hyundai potentially overtaking Ford, indicating changing consumer preferences.
- Key takeaway: Hyundai’s growth suggests a strong focus on product quality and execution in a competitive market.
- Opposing viewpoint: Ford maintains that its overall sales performance remains strong despite the forecasted decline, citing advantages in manufacturing.
