Ford holds off Hyundai to keep No. 3 U.S. sales spot in Q3

• Ford's Q3 sales fell 6.6% to 507,395 vehicles while Hyundai Motor (including Kia and Genesis) grew 5.4% to 506,200 units, a margin of just 1,195 vehicles
• Both automakers performed better than expected, with forecasts predicting Hyundai would overtake Ford for the first time in quarterly sales
• Ford has struggled with production of its crucial F-Series pickup trucks following disruptions from a previous year fire, while Hyundai has gained market share in the U.S. this year

Ford Retains No. 3 U.S. Sales Position, Narrowly Edging Out Hyundai in Q3

Summary

Ford Motor Company successfully defended its third-place position in U.S. auto sales during the third quarter, narrowly beating Hyundai Motor Group by just 1,195 vehicles. Ford reported sales of 507,395 light-duty vehicles, representing a 6.6% year-over-year decline. This figure excludes heavy-duty trucks, which are classified separately.

Hyundai Motor Group, encompassing the Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands, posted 506,200 vehicle sales for the quarter, reflecting a 5.4% increase year-over-year. Despite the growth, Hyundai fell just short of overtaking Ford for the first time in quarterly sales rankings.

Key Market Implications:

Both automakers outperformed analyst expectations. Industry forecasts had predicted Hyundai would successfully overtake Ford's No. 3 position during the quarter, making Ford's retention of the spot a notable achievement.

Contributing Factors:

Ford has faced significant headwinds this year, particularly struggling with production of its critical F-Series pickup trucks. These challenges stem from a fire that occurred last year, disrupting both manufacturing operations and sales momentum. The F-Series represents Ford's most important revenue generator.

Conversely, Hyundai Motor Group has demonstrated strong momentum in the U.S. market throughout 2026, with consistent growth across its brand portfolio.

The razor-thin margin between the two automakers—less than 0.25%—suggests intensifying competition in the U.S. automotive market and indicates that Hyundai remains well-positioned to potentially capture the third-place ranking in future quarters if current trends continue.