Only one of four Orange County-based automakers exceeded the national sales pace for new vehicles in March, according to New Jersey-based market researcher Autodata Corp.
U.S. auto sales were up 3.2% for the month, adding 1.59 million cars and light trucks, and are on track to reach 16.57 million for the year.
Kia Motors America Inc. in Irvine, part of Hyundai Motor Group, reported selling 58,279 cars and SUVs, about the same as last March. The automaker’s year-to-date sales total 146,321, up 3.7%.
Hyundai Motor America in Fountain Valley was also flat with 75,310 units sold. Sales of the South Korea-based Hyundai Motor Co. subsidiary have increased 0.8% so far this year to 173,330 cars and SUVs.
Cypress-based Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc. sold 11,078 vehicles, up 13.5% and its best March sales since 2007. It has sold 25,212 cars and SUVs year-to-date, a 6% increase.
Mazda North American Operations in Irvine was down 27.2% to 23,396 vehicles. The automaker’s 2016 sales added up to 64,643, a 17.2% decrease.
U.S. auto dealers overall have sold 4.08 million vehicles so far this year, a 3.4% increase compared with the same three months in 2015.
