# Hyundai Motor Group and Ford compete for U.S. market third

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/hyundai-motor-group-us-market-share-growth
> Updated: 2026-10-03T00:50:16.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 3.

Hyundai Motor Group is in a tight competition with Ford for third place in the U.S. light vehicle market. While earlier projections suggested the group might surpass Ford in the third quarter of 2026, actual results show a narrow gap. Ford maintained its rank with 509,764 total sales, a 6.6% year-over-year decrease, while the combined sales of Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis reached 506,200 units.

When specifically comparing light vehicles, the margin between the two companies narrowed to just 1,195 units. Ford’s performance was supported by demand for F-Series pickups and large SUVs like the Bronco and Explorer, though sales were hindered by the phase-out of models such as the Escape and Lincoln Corsair, alongside declining electric vehicle sales.

Hyundai Motor Group’s performance was driven by record-breaking third-quarter results for both Hyundai and Kia, fueled by high demand for hybrid models and SUVs. Kia reported an 8% increase in sales, reaching a quarterly high, while Hyundai saw a 3% increase. Analysts suggest the fourth-quarter outcome may depend on Kia’s momentum as Ford attempts to normalize production following recent supply chain issues.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-03: Ford and Hyundai Motor Group compete for third in U.S. auto market

Ford and Hyundai Motor Group are nearly tied for third place in the U.S. light vehicle market, with a narrow gap of approximately 1,195 units between them following Q3 2026 results.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ford-and-hyundai-motor-group-compete-for-third-in-us-auto-market

### 2026-09-27: Hyundai Motor Group projected to surpass Ford in U.S. quarterly sales

Hyundai Motor Group is projected to overtake Ford in U.S. quarterly sales for the first time, driven by strong demand for hybrid vehicles and SUVs, potentially securing third place in the market.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hyundai-motor-group-projected-to-surpass-ford-in-us-quarterly-sales

### 2026-09-24: Hyundai Motor Group projected to overtake Ford in U.S. Q3 sales

Hyundai Motor Group is projected to surpass Ford for third place in U.S. quarterly sales this Q3, driven by strong demand for hybrid SUVs like the Tucson and Palisade.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hyundai-motor-group-projected-to-surpass-ford-in-us-q3-sales

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Cite as: Hyundai Motor Group and Ford compete for U.S. market third. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/hyundai-motor-group-us-market-share-growth