HYUNDAI-KIA: Slight boost as product mix begins to evolve

Hyundai-Kia's combined U.S. sales edged up 1.1 percent in November as Hyundai's crossover momentum continued to build.

Hyundai Motor America was up 0.5 percent, with the Hyundai brand setting a new monthly crossover sales mark for the fourth month in a row as it improves its utility sales mix. Hyundai said its utility vehicles accounted for 49 percent of retail sales last month compared with 38 percent last November.

The Hyundai brand was up 3 percent.

Hyundai's crossover lineup will get reinforcements in the coming months with the Kona EV, the big three-row Palisade and a new A-segment option that could emerge next year.

The Tucson, which now has a freshened version on the market, set a monthly record for the 21st month in a row, with a 3.3 percent increase last month. The Kona, which debuted this year as the brand's first "cute ute," reached 5,976 units for its highest monthly total since going on sale in February.

Kia Motors America sold 45,101 vehicles, up 1.8 percent from the year-earlier period. The brand was led by the Forte's 9,756 units.

Genesis, which shipped its last 2018 models in March as it sought licensing in each state, was down 77 percent from the year-earlier period with 417 deliveries. The well-reviewed G70 sedan, which is steadily trickling into stores, had 128 deliveries last month.

Brands: Hyundai up 3%; Genesis down 77%; Kia up 1.8%

Notable nameplates: Tucson up 3.3%; Santa Fe down 21%; Elantra down 4.8%; Forte up 17%; Sportage up 26%; Soul up 7.6%

Average transaction price: For Hyundai, $22,504, up 0.9%; For Kia, $22,643, up 3.1%.

Incentives: For Hyundai, $2,710, down 14%; For Kia, $3,725, up 8.3%.

Quote: "Hyundai's product portfolio makeover of 10 all-new or redesigned models in 2018 are attracting consumers and resulting in sales growth in an industry we expect to be down slightly for the month," said John Cook, director of sales operations for Hyundai Motor America, in a statement. "We continue to focus on retail sales and with compelling offers during the Hyundai Holidays winter sales event we are aiming for an increase on the year.

Did you know?: Genesis announced the arrival of two configuration tools: an Automotive Real-Time 3D Configurator and an Instagram Stories Automotive Video Configurator. The brand says both the fully web-based 3D configurator and Instagram Stories configurator are seamless, first-to-market solutions in North America that provide an immersive, digital look at the Genesis lineup. They launched in conjunction with a full rebuild of Genesis.com.