After a strong showing in March, most automakers reported lackluster sales in April that were partially offset by impressive electric vehicle sales growth.
Ford and Kia were the two standouts last month with 129% and 144% EV sales growth respectively. Sales of Ford’s Mustang Mach-E jumped by more than 200% during the month, while Kia’s EV sales were driven by its all-new EV9 and its EV6.
Here’s more on how April sales in the U.S. stacked up:
Ford
Ford’s total U.S. sales slipped by more than 2%, from 184,002 in April 2023 to 179,588 last month. But the automaker’s EV and hybrid sales increased 129% and nearly 60%, respectively, year over year.
That’s welcome news after EV losses hit Ford hard in Q1. During the company’s earnings call last month, CEO Jim Farley said Ford needs to make “tremendous progress” on Model e as the EV division is expected to lose between $5 billion and $5.5 billion this year.
Honda
American Honda reported April sales of 116,586 units, a marginal year-over-year increase. Of that total, Honda brand sales increased about 3%, while sales for its luxury brand Acura were down by nearly 21%.
Honda electrified sales exceeded 21,000 units last month, a 27% decrease from the 29,000 electrified vehicles sold in April 2023. The automaker noted Acura’s first all-electric model, the 2024 ZDX and ZDX Type S, arrived at dealers last week.
Hyundai
Hyundai Motor America’s April sales totaled 68,603 units, a 3% decrease compared with April 2023. Battery electric vehicle sales, meanwhile, jumped 31%, as the automaker set sales records for its Elantra HEV, IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, Tucson HEV, Santa Fe HEV and Palisade models.
Last week, Hyundai reported its EV sales declined in Q1 and year over year. As a result, the company will increase hybrid vehicle production at its dedicated EV factory being built in Georgia.
Kia
Kia America sold 65,754 units in April, breaking its monthly EV sales record in the process. The automaker reported a 144% year-over-year increase in sales of fully electric vehicles.
“The impressive sales momentum generated by Kia’s EV and electrified models in the first quarter continued to accelerate in April with best-ever EV and SUV performances,” said Eric Watson, vice president, sales operations, Kia America, in a press release.
Mazda
Mazda North American Operations reported U.S. sales totals of 31,125 vehicles last month, a decrease of nearly 4% compared to April 2023, despite the best-ever April sales of its CX-30, CX-50 and CX-90 models.
The company has sold 131,228 units year to date, an increase of 8.7% compared to the same period last year.
Subaru
Subaru of America sold 55,863 vehicles in April, a 9.5% increase from April last year. In a press release, Jeff Walters, President and Chief Operating Officer, credited the automaker’s retailers for another month of strong sales.
The Subaru Forester remained the top seller last month, with 17,850 vehicles sold, an 85% increase compared to April 2023. The Outback also continued to have a strong showing, with 13,131 units sold, the release said.
