Automakers on Feb. 1 reported January sales results, which were mostly up across the board compared to a year earlier.
Kia
Following the best retail sales in company history last year, Kia America began 2023 with a record-setting January performance of 51,983 units, up 22.3% year-over-year.
January marked Kia's sixth consecutive monthly sales record, with four of Kia's SUV and utility nameplates---Niro, Sportage, Telluride and Carnival---as well as the Forte compact sedan posting best-ever January totals.
Sales of Kia's electrified models increased 128% over the same period last year.
Hyundai
Hyundai Motor America reported total January sales of 52,001 units, an 9% increase compared with January 2022 and the third consecutive month for record total sales.
Hyundai set total sales records in January for Venue (+7%), Elantra HEV (+574%), IONIQ 5 (+57%), Santa Fe HEV (+191%), Palisade (+6%), Kona EV (+334%) and Kona N (+49%).
January was an all-time best-ever retail and total sales month for the Elantra N. Hyundai fleet sales were 7.2% of total volume for the month.
Mazda
Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) reported total January sales of 22,967 vehicles, an increase of 9% compared to January 2022.
With 24 selling days in January, compared to the same the year prior, the company posted an increase of 9% on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis.
CPO sales totaled 4,605 vehicles in January, an increase of 48% compared to January 2022.
Both the CX-30 and CX-9 recorded their best-ever January sales, with 5,065 and 3,170 vehicles sold, respectively.
Subaru
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) reported 44,373 vehicle sales for January 2023, a 0.5% increase compared with January 2022. January also marked the sixth consecutive month of month-over-month sales increases for the automaker.
In January, Crosstrek was the top performer by volume and achieved its best January ever with 12,706 vehicle sales, surpassing its previous record set in January 2021. WRX sales for January 2023 increased 488%, while Outback sales decreased 1.1% compared to January 2022. In addition, 499 of the new Solterra EV were delivered in January.
Honda
American Honda sales were up 14.3% year-over-year as stronger inventory improved the January sales start.
Honda brand sales topped 75,000 units---up 10%---as double the on-hand inventory compared to last year helped overcome the impact of winter storms.
Total CR-V sales topped 20,000 units; CR-V hybrid set an all-time monthly record for a Honda hybrid model (9,551), fulfilling the Honda electrification strategy to increase hybrid sales of core models.
The all-new Pilot and Pilot TrailSport began reaching dealerships, with early sales results boosted by robust pre-sale activity.
Acura MDX set a January sales record of 4,455 units, leading Acura brand sales topping 9,000 units---up 66%.
Sales of the 2023 North American Car of the Year Acura Integra topped 2,000 units for the fourth straight month.
Source: Kia, Hyundai, Mazda, Subaru, Honda
