Automakers on Sept. 1 began releasing new-vehicle sales results for August.
Subaru
Subaru of America, Inc. reported 13 consecutive months of increased sales with 56,407 vehicles sold for August 2023, a 12.5% increase compared with August 2022 (50,126). SOA also reported year-to-date sales of 410,888, a 15.6% increase compared with the same period in 2022.
In August, Forester was once again the top performer by volume with 15,294 vehicle sales and an increase of 46% over the same month in 2022. Outback sales posted a 33% increase in August, and Crosstrek had a strong showing in the top three with 13,920 vehicle sales. Year to date, WRX posted a 72% increase, Impreza sales increased by 21%, and the BRZ carline posted an increase of 41% compared to the same period in 2022.
Kia
Kia America's record-shattering sales streak continued as the brand posted best-ever August sales of 72,147 units, the second highest monthly total in company history and a 9% increase over the previous record set in 2022. August also marks the fourth straight month Kia sales surpassed the 70,000-unit mark.
Sales of Kia's battery-electric vehicles were up 100% over August 2022 while the brand's lineup of rugged and capable utility vehicles increased 14% year-over-year. Kia's retail-only performance of 67,592 units represents 9% growth over the same period last year.
Seven Kia models posted year-over-year sales increases including: Niro (+1,746%); Carnival (+176%); EV6 (+33%); Rio (+32%); Telluride (+13%); Seltos (+1%) and K5 (+1%), with four Kia models achieving best-ever August sales, including: Carnival, EV6, Niro, Telluride. Sales of Kia's utility vehicles accounted for 72% of the brand's overall August sales total.
Hyundai
Hyundai Motor America reported total August sales of 65,046 units, a 1% increase compared with August 2022. Hyundai set total sales records in August for IONIQ 5 (+136%), Santa Fe HEV (+72%), Santa Fe PHEV (+55%), Kona EV (+653%) Tucson HEV (+41%), Tucson PHEV (+150%) and Santa Cruz (+6%). SUVs represented 75% of the sales mix. Hyundai fleet sales were 11.5% of the total volume for the month.
Mazda
Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) reported total August sales of 30,174 vehicles, an increase of 18.7% compared to August 2022. Year-to-date sales totaled 244,586 vehicles, an increase of 27.6% compared to the same time last year. With 27 selling days in August, compared to 26 the year prior, the company posted an increase of 14.3% on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis.
CPO sales totaled 5,752 vehicles in August, an increase of 26% compared to August 2022.
The CX-30 and CX-90 PHEV achieved best-ever August sales, with 6,630 and 1,700 vehicles sold, respectively.
Source: Subaru, Kia, Hyundai, Mazda
Abby Andrews