Park Jae-hyuk is a seasoned journalist who has provided comprehensive coverage of South Korea's corporate dynamics, economic policies, industry challenges and the global positioning of Korean companies. Based on the articles he has written since joining The Korea Times in 2016, his investigative approach has helped readers understand corporate governance, economic trends and business strategies shaping South Korea’s economy.
Sonata among five top-selling hybrids in US
By Park Jae-hyuk
Sonata Hybrid was one of the five top-selling hybrid cars in the U.S. in September, says a U.S.-based website, specializing in hybrid gas-electric vehicles.
According to HybridCars.com’s “September 2016 Dashboard” posted on Oct. 4, 1,815 units of the Sonata were sold last month.
HybridCars.com announces the monthly sales of all hybrid vehicles sold in the U.S. every month, collaborating with Baum and Associates, a Michigan-based market research firm focusing on automotive issues including hybrid and electric vehicles.
The vehicle, made by Korea’s top automaker Hyundai Motor, was fifth among all hybrids sold in the U.S., behind the Toyota Prius Liftback, Toyota RAV4, Ford Fusion Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid.
“Hybrid sales in September were down slightly from August and a year-ago,” HybridCars.com reported. “Among the category leaders, the Fusion hybrid (updated version) and Sonata performed well,”
Sales of hybrid cars in the U.S. last month totaled 31,284, a 2.6 percent drop year-on-year and a 2.9 percent drop month-on-month.
But sales of the Sonata Hybrid rose 53.2 percent year-on-year and 58.4 percent month-on-month.
Kia Optima Hybrid, also known as the K5 Hybrid in Korea, ranked 13th. Hyundai Motor’s sister company sold 591 hybrids last month.
The two automakers’ hybrid market share in the U.S. was 7.7 percent last month ― third among all companies.
Toyota was top, Ford second, Honda fourth and General Motors fifth.
Toyota dominates U.S. hybrid sales, with 68.2 percent market share.
The Japanese automaker manufactures 13 hybrids models, including seven Toyota vehicles and six Lexus vehicles.
However, Toyota has experienced negative growth in year-on-year sales and month-on-month sales. Its market share also continues to ease, as against the steady growth of Hyundai Motor.
Hyundai Motor aims to expand its hybrid market share in the U.S. market, with the release of the compact Ioniq Hybrid in the first quarter next year.