Hyundai projected to surpass Ford in quarterly U.S. sales

The shift in rankings secures Hyundai’s position as the third best-selling automaker in the country, trailing only General Motors and Toyota. While Ford struggles with a cooling market, Hyundai’s growth trajectory relies on a robust lineup that contrasts with the domestic manufacturer’s current inventory gaps, particularly in the hybrid segment.

Despite high interest rates and broader economic headwinds, the automotive sector remains surprisingly durable. Cox Automotive adjusted its 2026 industry outlook upward by 2%, targeting 16.1 million total units. Jeremy Robb, chief economist at Cox, noted that while year-over-year figures for new and used sales have dipped, the decline remains modest given the resilience of consumer demand.