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Daily Read: Business

Hyundai Forecast to Top Ford in Q3 Sales

Cox Automotive released a forecast that places Hyundai Motor ahead of Ford Motor in U.S. sales for the third quarter, a first for the Korean automaker. Hyundai is projected to sell 511,421 vehicles in July‑September, a 6.5% year‑over‑year increase, while Ford is expected to decline 7.1% to 504,172 units. The shift comes as Detroit automakers face a shortage of hybrid models, a segment that has grown amid rising gasoline prices, according to Cox analysts. GM and Ford have limited hybrid offerings, with GM offering only a hybrid Corvette and Ford’s hybrids confined to the Maverick and F‑150 pickup lines. Toyota Motor, the current hybrid leader, is narrowing its gap with GM, with Cox forecasting a 2.2% sales rise to 642,707 units for the quarter. Fuel prices, averaging $4.48 per gallon nationwide, are pressuring sales of large trucks and SUVs, key products for the Detroit automakers. Cox also raised its 2026 U.S. vehicle sales forecast to 16.1 million units, up roughly 2% from earlier estimates. The forecast underscores the growing importance of hybrid offerings and fuel‑price sensitivity in shaping U.S. automotive sales dynamics.

· CNBC

The essential points

  1. 01Hyundai projected to sell 511,421 U.S. vehicles in Q3, up 6.5% YoY.
  2. 02Ford expected to drop 7.1% YoY to 504,172 vehicles in the same quarter.
  3. 03Detroit automakers lag due to limited hybrid models amid rising gasoline prices.
  4. 04Toyota is closing the gap with GM, forecasting a 2.2% sales rise to 642,707 units.
The full brief

Cox Automotive released a forecast that places Hyundai Motor ahead of Ford Motor in U. S. sales for the third quarter, a first for the Korean automaker. Hyundai is projected to sell 511,421 vehicles in July‑September, a 6. 5% year‑over‑year increase, while Ford is expected to decline 7. 1% to 504,172 units. The shift comes as Detroit automakers face a shortage of hybrid models, a segment that has grown amid rising gasoline prices, according to Cox analysts.

GM and Ford have limited hybrid offerings, with GM offering only a hybrid Corvette and Ford’s hybrids confined to the Maverick and F‑150 pickup lines. Toyota Motor, the current hybrid leader, is narrowing its gap with GM, with Cox forecasting a 2. 2% sales rise to 642,707 units for the quarter. Fuel prices, averaging $4. 48 per gallon nationwide, are pressuring sales of large trucks and SUVs, key products for the Detroit automakers. Cox also raised its 2026 U. S.

vehicle sales forecast to 16. 1 million units, up roughly 2% from earlier estimates. The forecast underscores the growing importance of hybrid offerings and fuel‑price sensitivity in shaping U. S. automotive sales dynamics.