Kia and Hyundai emerged as the clearest winners in the third quarter of 2026, each setting a new sales record for the period. Their performance contrasted with a more difficult backdrop for battery-electric vehicles, where demand continued to soften across the market.
The results underline the importance of broad product line-ups at a time when buyers and fleet operators are weighing affordability, charging access and day-to-day usability. Strong quarterly delivery figures from the two Korean brands suggest their portfolios retained appeal beyond the EV segment.
Electric vehicles, meanwhile, remained a weak point in the industry’s sales picture. As outlined in Car and Driver's review of third-quarter sales, EV volumes fell across the board, extending a challenging period for manufacturers relying on rapid battery-electric growth.
The divergence between record results at Kia and Hyundai and the wider EV slowdown will sharpen scrutiny of automakers’ powertrain strategies. For European buyers and fleet managers, the quarter reinforces that the transition is progressing unevenly, with conventional and electrified choices still shaping purchase decisions.
