Hyundai, Kia post record U.S. sales in September

General Motors (GM) reported a decline in third-quarter auto sales on Thursday, with a 5.5% drop in deliveries compared to the same period last year, as plunging electric vehicle (EV) sales failed to offset gains in some gasoline-powered vehicles. This downturn came as other automakers, such as Toyota and Hyundai, experienced an increase in sales due to robust hybrid demand.

The 2025 period saw a surge in EV sales in the United States, driven by consumers taking advantage of a tax credit that expired on September 30, 2025. However, GM suffered a more than 90% decrease in EV sales of the Chevrolet Equinox SUV in the third quarter, with the gasoline-version Equinox also declining modestly compared to the previous year.

Despite inflation continuing to impact consumers, dealerships reported strong sales of affordable small SUVs, with GM citing a 27% increase in sales for models like the Chevrolet Trax, Trailblazer, and Buick Envista. Analysts noted that shoppers were still purchasing cars, sometimes opting for more budget-friendly alternatives to their initial choices.

While GM's EV tax credit disappearance significantly affected its electric fleet, other manufacturers, including Toyota and Hyundai, benefited from strong hybrid sales during periods of high gasoline prices. Toyota reported a 0.6% increase in third-quarter sales to 633,223, primarily driven by a 29.2% growth in electrified vehicles, which are dominated by hybrids.

GM executives emphasized that customers desire a variety of options to suit their lifestyles, citing Toyota's multi-path strategy. Hyundai also saw a 35% rise in hybrid sales, with overall sales reaching 483,555 vehicles, marking a 5.4% increase from the previous year.