All four Orange County-based automakers beat the national pace of sales of new vehicles in February, according to New Jersey-based market researcher Autodata Corp.
U.S. auto sales rose 5.3% last month to about 1.25 million. They are on track to reach 16.23 million for the year.
Hyundai Motor America in Fountain Valley reported its best February ever, selling 52,505 vehicles nationwide, a 7.1% increase over the same period last year. The automaker’s sales so far this year are up 4.3%, for a total of 97,010 cars and light trucks.
Kia Motors America Inc. in Irvine sold 44,030 vehicles in February, a 6.8% uptick from a year earlier. Its year-to-date sales totaled 82,329, up 5.2%.
Mazda North American Operations in Irvine reported a 5.4% increase, with 25,650 new cars and light trucks sold. Mazda is up 6.4% for the year, with 45,921 vehicles sold in January and February.
Cypress-based Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc. sold 7,533 vehicles, up 26%. It has sold 14,026 since Jan. 1, a 29.3% increase over the same period last year.
U.S. auto dealers have sold 2.4 million vehicles so far this year, a 9.2% increase compared with the same 2-month period last year.
