Korean automakers nearly overtake Ford in U.S. sales as demand for hybrids surges

Brief retelling from RIA II

Increased demand for hybrid vehicles due to the fuel crisis nearly allowed Korean automakers to overtake Ford in US sales for the first time in history.

In the third quarter, Hyundai and Kia sales totaled just over 506,000 vehicles, up 5.4% from a year earlier.

Ford sales fell 6.6% to 509,764 units.

WASHINGTON, October 3 – RIA Novosti. Increased demand for hybrid cars due to the fuel crisis almost allowed Korean automakers to overtake Ford in sales in the United States for the first time in history, CNN reports, citing statistics from global companies.

The TV channel notes the growing interest of Americans in hybrid cars due to high gasoline prices. However, unlike their Japanese and Korean counterparts, most American automakers have a limited range of such models.

“Growing sales of hybrids almost allowed Korean automakers to overtake Ford in sales in the United States for the first time in history,” the TV channel reports.

In the third quarter, sales of Hyundai and Kia totaled just over 506 thousand vehicles, which is 5.4% more than a year earlier. At the same time, Ford sales decreased by 6.6% to 509,764 units, the TV channel reported.

Japanese companies have also noted an increase in demand for hybrid models in the United States. For example, Toyota sales increased by 29%, and Honda - by 21%.