Toyota division posted September sales of 177,654 vehicles, up 12.9% on a volume basis and up 8.6% on a DSR basis. For the third quarter of 2023, Toyota division reported sales of 515,400 vehicles, up 12.4% on a volume basis and up 11% on a DSR basis.
Lexus division posted September sales of 26,250 vehicles, up 20.9% on a volume basis and up 16.2% on a DSR basis. For the third quarter of 2023, Lexus division reported sales of 74,896 vehicles, up 10.9% on a volume basis and up 9.5% on a DSR basis.
Kia
Kia America announced its best-ever third quarter sales total of 210,341 units---the third time in company history in which Kia's quarterly sales passed the 210,000 unit mark. These record-breaking sales performances contributed to Kia's best-ever total through nine months of 604,674 units.
In September, Kia posted its best-ever September sales total of 67,264 units, marking the brand's 14th consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases. Sales of Kia's lineup of utility vehicles increased 19% year-over-year, while the brand's battery-electric vehicles were up 127% over the previous record set in September 2022. Kia's retail-only performance of 62,661 units represents 14% growth over the same period last year.
Ten Kia models posted year-over-year sales increases including: Niro (+1,341%); Carnival (+187%); EV6 (+45%); Rio (+45%); Forte (+28%); Seltos (+18%); K5 (+11%); Sorento (+10%); Telluride (+8%); and Soul (+3%). In addition, three Kia models set best-ever September sales records, including: Carnival, EV6 and K5, with sales of Kia's utility vehicles accounting for 72% of the brand's overall September sales total.
Hyundai
Hyundai Motor America reported total September sales of 68,961 units, a 16% increase compared with September 2022. Hyundai set total sales records in September for Elantra HEV (+2%), IONIQ 5 (+203%), Santa Fe (+26%), Santa Fe PHEV (+1125%), Santa Fe HEV (+97%), Tucson (+33%), Tucson PHEV (+950%), Tucson HEV (+95%) and Santa Cruz (+5%).
Hyundai sold 60,425 retail units in September, a 2% year-over-year increase from September 2022. September retail sales were led by IONIQ 5, Santa Fe PHEV, Santa Fe HEV, Tucson PHEV, Tucson HEV and Santa Cruz. Hyundai eco-friendly vehicle sales of 13,508 represented 22% of retail and a 95% year-over-year increase. SUVs represented 78% of the retail sales mix, a 10% increase year-over-year.
In the third quarter, Hyundai total sales were 200,534 units, a 9% increase over Q3 2022 sales. Hyundai also set new Q3 total and retail sales records for IONIQ 5, Santa Fe PHEV, Santa Fe HEV, Tucson PHEV, Tucson HEV and Santa Cruz. For the quarter, Hyundai fleet sales remained at 10%.
Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) reported 22,196 sales for the third quarter of 2023, an increase of 32.3% over the same period the year before. On a year-to-date basis, sales of 67,736 represent an increase of 4.1%.
The brand's flagship Outlander Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle led in record-setting style, with 1,887 sales in the quarter representing the best-ever sales quarter for the vehicle. Although quarterly year-over-year comparisons are skewed by the sell-down of the previous-generation model during Q3 2022 (the 2023 model launched in December 2022), August 2023 was the best-ever single month of sales for the nameplate. On a year-to-date basis, sales of 5,104 are up more than 350% over the previous year, and with one sales quarter remaining, have already surpassed 2018's previous full-year record.
Across the rest of the lineup, sales performance was also strong, a function of improving supply and the brand's award-winning customer experience. The gasoline-powered version of the Outlander SUV remains Mitsubishi Motors' volume leader, with 9,340 Q3 sales, up 30.1% over the same period last year. Supporting that performance, Mirage was up 24.8% for the quarter, with 4,028 sales, and Eclipse Cross was up 25% for the quarter, logging 3,311 sales.
Mazda
Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) reported total September sales of 28,031 vehicles, an increase of 17.9% compared to September 2022. Year-to-date sales totaled 272,617 vehicles, an increase of 26.6% compared to the same time last year. With 26 selling days in September, compared to 25 the year prior, the company posted an increase of 13.4% on a Daily Selling Rate basis.
CPO sales totaled 5,558 vehicles in September, an increase of 34% compared to September 2022.
Subaru
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) reported 14 consecutive months of increased sales with 56,335 vehicles sold for September, a 23.4% increase compared with the same month in 2022 (45,658). SOA also reported year-to-date sales of 467,223, a 16.5% increase compared with the same period in 2022.
In September, Forester was the top performer by volume for the third month in a row with 15,237 vehicle sales and an increase of 49% over the same month in 2022. Outback and Crosstrek sales remained strong with 14,545 and 13,341 vehicle sales respectively. Legacy sales posted an impressive 107% increase compared to the same period in 2022, and WRX posted a 62% year to date increase.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz USA reported Q3 2023 sales of 71,098 Mercedes-Benz models. Additionally, Mercedes-Benz Vans reported Q3 2023 sales of 18,913 units, bringing MBUSA to a total of 90,011 vehicles for the quarter.
As part of its electric product offensive, MBUSA introduced five electric vehicles (EQ) to the Mercedes-Benz electric line-up, including EQS Sedan, EQS SUV, EQB, EQE Sedan and the EQE SUV. Strong, sustained demand for EQ and top-end vehicles propelled Q3 top-end growth of 11% for a total of 21,020 vehicles.
Sales in the top-end segment rose to 21,020 units an increase of 11% in Q3 2023 compared to Q3 2022. Sales for Mercedes-AMG high-performance models totalled 8,698 units, a slight decrease of -4% versus Q3 2022. The S-Class saw a significant increase of 48% versus the same quarter last year, with 3,890 units in Q3 2023. Demand for the GLS increased 2% this quarter with 5,300 units. The fully electric EQS SUV posted 1,596 units in Q3 2023.
Sales in the core segment reached 37,270 units. The E-Class also saw an increase of 25% with 4,827 units sold in Q3 2023. The fully electric EQE Sedan attracted 969 new customers and the EQE SUV reached 3,488 units in Q3 2023.
Sales in the entry segment reached 12,808 units up 11% compared to Q3 2022. The CLA saw an increase of 21% compared to Q3 2022 with 2,785 units sold. The fully electric EQB recorded 3,270 unit sales, an increase of 343% from Q3 2022. The GLA held strong in Q3 2023 with 2,529 units sold.
Sales for vans rose to 18,913 units in Q3 2023 an increase of 24% compared to the same quarter last year. Additionally, year-to-date sales are up 6% compared to the same time in 2022 with a total of 51,815 units sold. Mercedes-Benaz is getting ready for the all-new eSprinter, its first fully electric van in North America.
Separately, Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) models recorded sales of 34,957 vehicles during the third quarter of 2023, an increase of 6% versus Q3 2022.
Abby Andrews