According to a forecast from Cox Automotive, Hyundai is expected to report a 6.5% increase in year-over-year sales for the third quarter, totaling 511,421 units, while Ford anticipates a 7.1% decline to 504,172 vehicles sold. This shift would position Hyundai as the third best-selling automaker in the U.S., behind General Motors and Toyota.
The automotive market has shown resilience this year, with Cox raising its 2026 sales forecast to 16.1 million units. Hyundai's success can be attributed to its focus on product quality and execution, as noted by CEO José Muñoz. In contrast, Ford has faced production issues with its F-Series pickup trucks due to supplier disruptions, which have hindered its sales.
Additionally, both Ford and GM are struggling to compete in the growing hybrid vehicle market, which is becoming increasingly important as gas prices rise. Toyota is also closing the gap with GM in annual sales, with predictions of a 2.2% gain in the third quarter, while GM is expected to see a 5.2% decline.
The overall trend indicates a shift in consumer preferences towards more fuel-efficient vehicles, which could further impact the sales of traditional automakers like Ford and GM