Automakers on June 1 released new-vehicle sales results for the month of May, showing a year-over-year increase from the same month in 2022.
Kia
Fast-growing Kia America continued its hot streak as the brand posted total May sales of 71,497 units, marking the second-highest monthly sales total in company history and the 10th consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases.
May sales were up 23% over the same period last year, with several models posting double- and even triple-digit sales increases, including: Seltos (+171%); Stinger (+102%); Carnival (+80%); Soul (+45%); Telluride (+35%); Sportage (+24%) and Sorento (+13%).
May sales were driven by Kia's lineup of SUVs, which increased 35% year-over-year and accounted for 74% of the brand's total volume. The Sportage, Telluride and Seltos models also set best-ever May sales records, up 17%, 29% and 39%, respectively, over each model's previous record-setting May performances set in 2021.
In addition, Seltos set an all-time monthly sales record with sales up 15% over the previous best-ever monthly sales performance set by the model in March 2021.
Sales of Kia's electrified models set a new May record---posting a 33% increase over May 2022---and a new any-month record up by 4% over the previous record which was set in April. Sales of the all-electric Kia EV6 also set a new May sales record, increasing 7% over May 2022. In addition, overall sales of the model increased 80% over last month thanks in part to a marketing campaign and competitive lease program.
Mazda
Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) reported total May sales of 33,262 vehicles, an increase of 117.2% compared to May 2022. Year-to-date sales totaled 153,997 vehicles, an increase of 20.6% compared to the same time last year. With 25 selling days in May, compared to 24 the year prior, the company posted an increase of 108.5% on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis.
CPO sales totaled 5,262 vehicles in May, an increase of 4% compared to May 2022.
Hyundai
Hyundai Motor America reported total May sales of 70,001 units, an 18% increase compared with May 2022. Hyundai set best-ever total sales in May for Elantra HEV (+152%), Elantra N (+70%), IONIQ 5 (+28%), Santa Fe HEV (+266%), Tucson PHEV (+206%), Tucson HEV (+95%) and Santa Cruz (+12%). Hyundai fleet sales were 5,931 and represented 8.5% of total volume for the month.
Hyundai sold 64,070 retail units in May, an 8%year-over-year increase from May 2022. Hyundai set best-ever retail sales in May for Elantra HEV, Elantra N, IONIQ 5, Santa Fe HEV, Tucson PHEV, Tucson HEV and Santa Cruz. Hyundai eco-friendly vehicle sales of 12,097 represented 19% of retail and a 93% year-over-year increase.
Subaru
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) reported sales of 54,531 vehicles for May 2023, a 28.2% increase compared with May 2022 (42,526). SOA also reported year-to-date sales of 248,924, a 12.8% increase compared with the same period in 2022.
In May, Outback was the top performer by volume with 17,146 vehicle sales. BRZ sales for May 2023 increased 217.4% over the same month in 2022, while Impreza posted a 126% increase in May. Forester sales for May 2023 increased 92.5%, and Ascent sales increased 20.4% compared to May 2022.
Source: Kia, Mazda, Hyundai, Subaru
