With the first half of 2026 in the rearview mirror, automakers are revealing their sales performances for June, the second quarter, and the first half of the year. The results show a diverse array of outcomes across the industry.
Hyundai, Kia, and Stellantis reported increased sales, while Ford and General Motors noted declines. Meanwhile, Polestar announced its exit from the U.S. market. The automotive market remains volatile, with high new car prices and fluctuating gas prices.
Consumer preferences have shifted towards hybrids and compact models, with brands offering these options seeing growth. Here’s a closer look at the current sales landscape.
Kia Breaks Sales Records
Kia has continued to see its sales climb, thanks to its lineup of hybrid-powered vehicles. The electrified versions of the Sportage, Sorento, and Carnival experienced impressive sales increases of 165%, 114%, and 56%, respectively. This contributed to Kia achieving its best June sales figures ever.
The automaker sold 70,507 vehicles last month, marking a 10% increase, and has sold 430,727 vehicles in the first half of 2026, which is a 3.4% increase over the same period in 2025.
GM Faces Sales Challenges
General Motors, the largest automaker in the U.S., saw its sales drop by 4.2% across its four brands. Cadillac experienced the most significant decline, with sales down 19.2% in the second quarter, largely due to the discontinued XT4 and XT6 models.
GMC was GM’s top performer with only a 0.3% sales decline, buoyed by increases in Canyon and Terrain sales, while Hummer EV sales plummeted by 56.8%. Buick and Chevrolet also saw declines, although the Corvette bucked the trend with a 23.8% increase.
Hyundai’s Hybrid Success
Hyundai’s second-quarter sales were dominated by electrified vehicles, with hybrids, plug-ins, and electric cars making up a third of total sales. The Sonata Hybrid, Santa Fe Hybrid, and Tucson Hybrid saw sales increases of 246%, 12%, and 14%, respectively.
This led to record-breaking sales for Hyundai in June and the best first half in the company’s history, with a total of 450,568 vehicles sold, representing a 3% increase.
Fiat’s Struggles in the U.S.
Fiat remains in the U.S. market with just one model, the electric 500e. However, sales have been dismal, with only 81 units sold in the second quarter of 2026, a significant decrease from 340 units last year.
Fiat has sold 228 vehicles so far this year, down 75%, with the discontinued 500X accounting for a portion of these sales. The 500e is now the sole model in Fiat’s U.S. lineup.
Ford Mustang’s Revival
The Ford Mustang has seen a resurgence in sales, reversing a recent downward trend. Sales at the start of 2026 have been strong, with a 22.6% increase to 28,725 units so far this year.
During the quarter, 14,651 Mustangs were sold, outperforming the electric Mustang Mach-E by a two-to-one margin, despite Ford’s overall sales falling by 10.3% for the quarter.
Honda Odyssey’s Decline Amid Minivan Boom
While the minivan segment is experiencing growth, the Honda Odyssey is struggling, with sales dropping 14.7% last quarter to 8,481 units. In contrast, the Chrysler Pacifica sold 41,704 units, making it the top-selling minivan of 2026.
The Odyssey’s sales figures lag behind competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Carnival, highlighting a challenging market position for Honda’s minivan.
Mazda3’s Impressive Sales Growth
The Mazda3 has become a popular choice for consumers seeking affordable, fuel-efficient vehicles. Sales of the compact car surged by 90.7% last month to 3,787 units, with the hatchback variant enjoying a 123% increase.
Mazda has sold 20,452 Mazda3s in the first half of the year, offering options like a naturally aspirated engine, manual transmission, and all-wheel drive across various trims.
Original Story at www.motor1.com