RVs Account for 70% of U.S. Sales... Hyundai Motor and Kia Surpass 15 Million Cumulative Units

[Financial News] Hyundai Motor and Kia have surpassed 15 million cumulative sales of recreational vehicles (RVs) in the United States. As they expanded their lineup, centered on sport utility vehicles (SUVs), RVs have become their mainstay, accounting for more than 70% of their total U.S. sales. Hyundai Motor and Kia plan to accelerate their push into the U.S. market by introducing hybrids and extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) and expanding local production.
According to Hyundai Motor and Kia on the 28th, cumulative RV sales in the U.S. totaled 15,067,646 units from 1994 through August this year. Hyundai Motor, including Genesis, recorded 7,059,566 units, while Kia recorded 8,008,080 units.
Hyundai Motor and Kia's cumulative U.S. RV sales surpassed 1 million units in 2005 and exceeded 10 million in 2022. After adding another 5 million units in just four years, the companies reached the 15 million mark 32 years after 1994.
The expansion was driven by lineup diversification centered on SUVs. The companies added the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride to the Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sorento and Kia Sportage, while broadening customer choice with electric vehicles such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. The RV lineup currently sold in the U.S. comprises 21 models in total: 11 from Hyundai Motor and 10 from Kia.
Annual RV sales have risen steadily since 2017 and exceeded 1 million units every year from 2022 onward. A total of 936,789 units were sold from January through August this year, raising the question of whether sales will surpass last year's annual total of 1,387,145 units. RVs have also accounted for more than 70% of Hyundai Motor and Kia's total U.S. sales, including sedans, every year since 2022.
The Hyundai Santa Fe ranks first in cumulative sales, with 2,595,159 units sold in the U.S. The Hyundai Tucson followed with 2,227,154 units. The Kia Sorento recorded 1,981,991 units, the Kia Sportage 1,952,129 units, and the Kia Soul 1,563,607 units. The Kia Sorento and Kia Sportage are both on track to reach 2 million cumulative sales this year.
The Hyundai Tucson has sold more than 200,000 units annually since 2023, driving overall sales. The Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Sportage and Kia Telluride have also established themselves as key models, each selling more than 100,000 units a year.
Hyundai Motor and Kia plan to strengthen the foundation for RV sales by introducing new hybrid models and expanding local supply.
Hyundai Motor plans to launch the Genesis GV80 Hybrid, Genesis's first hybrid model, and the Hyundai Santa Fe EREV in the U.S. It is also preparing to introduce the all-new Hyundai Tucson, the fifth-generation fully redesigned version of the Hyundai Tucson.
Kia plans to make the Kia Sportage its first model in the U.S. to sell 200,000 units annually and expand Kia Telluride production capacity to 180,000 units a year. This year, it will launch the Kia Seltos Hybrid to target demand for entry-level RVs.
Product appeal has also supported the sales expansion. Five of the nine North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards (NACTOY) received by Hyundai Motor and Kia through this year went to RVs. The Hyundai Kona in 2019, Hyundai Palisade in 2026, Kia Telluride in 2020, Kia EV6 in 2023 and Kia EV9 in 2024 were each selected.
A Hyundai Motor and Kia official said, "We will continue to closely analyze the market and launch a diverse range of new RVs preferred by consumers to enhance our competitiveness in the U.S. market."

[email protected] Kim Dong-ho Reporter