Seoul: Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea’s leading automaker, reported a significant 15 percent increase in its U.S. sales for January compared to the same period last year. This marks the highest sales figure for the month in the company’s history, as announced on Sunday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Hyundai Motor’s sales in the United States amounted to 54,503 units last month, up from 47,543 units in January of the previous year. The growth was largely propelled by a substantial 74 percent increase in hybrid model sales and a 15 percent rise in electric vehicle (EV) sales. Notably, the Santa Fe hybrid EV (HEV), Tucson HEV, and Ioniq 5 and 6 EVs achieved record sales figures for the month.

Kia Corp., Hyundai’s sister company and the second-largest carmaker in South Korea, also experienced a 12 percent growth in U.S. sales, reaching 57,007 units in January. According to the company, this was Kia’s best January sales performance to date. The increase in Kia’s sales was attributed to their lineup of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and robust sales of the new K4 sedan.