Hyundai is recalling hundreds of thousands of Palisade sports utility vehicles because the airbag might not properly deploy, federal regulators warned. The recall affects model year 2020 to 2025 Palisade vehicles. The issue is that the side curtain airbags for third-row occupants in these SUVs “may deploy improperly in a crash,” according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Because of this problem, the vehicles don’t meet federal safety rules, according to the auto regulator.The a ...

Core Insights - Hyundai Motor America achieved its fifth consecutive year of record annual retail sales and third straight year of record total sales in 2025, with December sales reaching 78,930 units, a 1% increase from December 2024, marking the best-ever December results [1][8]. Sales Performance - In December 2025, hybrid total sales surged by 71%, setting a new all-time monthly record, with models like Elantra, Santa Fe, Sonata, Tucson, and Palisade HEVs leading the sales [3]. - Despite a slight 1% dip in Q4 sales, Hyundai demonstrated strong momentum, with record Q4 total sales for Santa Fe, Tucson, and Palisade, and HEV category sales up 52% on the quarter [4]. - For the year 2025, Hyundai sold 772,712 vehicles, achieving its best-ever annual retail sales for the fifth consecutive year, while total sales reached 901,686 vehicles, establishing a record for the third straight year [5]. Model Performance - The core SUV lineup, including Tucson, Santa Fe, and Palisade, continued to drive double-digit growth, with retail sales up 8% and total sales up 10% combined [3]. - Specific model performances included: - Elantra: 11,375 units sold in December 2025, a 2% decrease from December 2024 [11]. - Ioniq 5: 2,279 units sold in December 2025, a 50% decrease from December 2024 [11]. - Palisade: 11,692 units sold in December 2025, a 14% increase from December 2024 [11]. - Santa Fe: 14,440 units sold in December 2025, an 8% increase from December 2024 [11]. - Tucson: 22,193 units sold in December 2025, a 10% increase from December 2024 [11]. Industry Recognition - Hyundai Motor Company was named one of the 'World's Best Companies 2025', ranking 33rd out of 1,000 organizations in TIME and Statista's list [9]. - The company received 21 IIHS Top Safety Awards, including 10 for Hyundai models, reaffirming its leadership in automotive safety [9]. - The all-new Palisade Hybrid was recognized in Car and Driver's 10Best Trucks and SUVs list for 2026, and it was named Best Midsize Three-Row SUV by Car Confections [9][10].

Sales Performance - Hyundai Motor Group's US sales rose slightly by 0.1% year-on-year to 154,308 units in November 2025, despite a 25% tariff on imports from South Korea [1] - Hyundai's sales decreased by 2% to 82,306 units, while Kia's sales increased by 2.7% to 72,002 units [1] Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Sales - Hybrid vehicle sales surged by 49% year-on-year to 36,172 units, offsetting a 59% decline in battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales to 4,618 units due to the withdrawal of BEV tax credits [2] - In the first nine months of the year, the group's US sales rose by 8.1% to 1,673,772 vehicles, with Hyundai's sales increasing by 8.7% to 896,620 units and Kia's by 7.5% to 777,152 units [2] Model Performance - Hyundai's best-selling model year-to-date in the US was the Tucson with 212,037 deliveries, followed by the Elantra sedan with 136,825 units and the Palisade with 112,237 units [3] - Kia's best-selling model year-to-date was the Sportage SUV with 165,954 deliveries, followed by the K4/Forte sedan range with 126,919 units and the Telluride SUV with 111,123 units [4] Market Insights - Hyundai's CEO highlighted the strength of the SUV lineup, noting double-digit growth for models like Tucson, Santa Fe, and Palisade, and a record for hybrid vehicle sales [3] - Kia's head of sales mentioned that the diverse product lineup and growing hybrid portfolio position the company for a third consecutive annual sales record [4]

Group 1 - Hyundai plans to introduce a midsize pickup truck to its U.S. lineup, aiming for a pre-2030 launch date [4] - The automaker aims to double its hybrid offerings to over 18 models by 2030, with hybrids for its Genesis luxury brand debuting next year [6] - Hyundai targets 80% of models sold in the U.S. to be assembled domestically as part of its 2030 product roadmap [1][2] Group 2 - The company has set a goal of achieving 5.5 million total global sales and 3.3 million electrified-vehicle sales by 2030 [2] - Hyundai will begin sales of extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) in 2027, with a range exceeding 600 miles (960 km) [7] - The N performance brand will expand to more than seven models by 2030, including an N version of the Ioniq 6 BEV sedan [8]