Hyundai set to outsell Ford in Q3 as Detroit automakers lack hybrids

Key Points:

• Hyundai Motor is forecasted to outsell Ford Motor in U.S. quarterly sales for the first time, with a 6.5% year-over-year increase to 511,421 units, compared to Ford's expected 7.1% decline to 504,172 units in Q3.
• This shift would position Hyundai as the third best-selling automaker in the U.S., behind General Motors and Toyota, amid stronger-than-expected new vehicle sales and an upward revision of Cox Automotive's 2026 forecast to 16.1 million units.
• Hyundai's gains are attributed to strong product focus and execution, while Ford has faced production challenges, particularly with its F-Series pickups, due to supplier fires and a limited hybrid vehicle lineup compared to competitors.
• Toyota is closing the sales gap with GM, with predictions showing Toyota's sales increasing 2.2% to 642,707 units in Q3, while GM is expected to decline 5.2% to 671,706 units; Toyota could surpass GM in annual U.S. sales for only the second time ever.
• Higher fuel prices and shifting consumer preferences toward hybrids are impacting sales of traditional large trucks and SUVs, affecting Detroit automakers like GM, Ford, and Stellantis, which are also adjusting their product strategies amid changing emission regulations.