Though many auto dealerships did not totally stop operations during the COVID-19 outbreak, sales slumped across the country and buying a new vehicle was put on the back burner due to economic uncertainty, health, and lack of shopping opportunity. Automakers worked with dealerships and regulators to make the purchase process easier using digital document signing, pick-up and drop-off service, and initiating cleanliness guidelines for dealers.
As the world starts to open up, so too have dealerships. Americans are not shying away form purchasing and automakers are staring down supply chain issues as demand picks back up.
Some auto companies and dealers have been better at addressing the struggle during this time, turning shoppers into buyers and moving those buyers toward on-hand inventory. Though most model sales were down for May 2020 versus May 2019, a vehicles did better than expected, putting up strong numbers compared to the sales results of the first quarter of 2020. Scroll down to see the winners.
Hyundai Veloster
Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor America
It’s pretty cut and dry. Hyundai sold more Velosters in May than it did in any other month in 2020 so far.
Hyundai Veloster
Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor America
It’s pretty cut and dry. Hyundai sold more Velosters in May than it did in any other month in 2020 so far.
Hyundai Veloster
Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor America
It’s pretty cut and dry. Hyundai sold more Velosters in May than it did in any other month in 2020 so far.
Hyundai Veloster
Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor America
It’s pretty cut and dry. Hyundai sold more Velosters in May than it did in any other month in 2020 so far.
Hyundai Veloster
Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor America
It’s pretty cut and dry. Hyundai sold more Velosters in May than it did in any other month in 2020 so far.
Honda Passport
It’s simple. Honda sold more Passports in May than it did in any other month in 2020 so far. Before you think that it’s because Pilot and CR-V models weren’t in stock, consider that those SUVs also had great months.
Photo courtesy of American Honda Motor Mfg. Inc.
Photo courtesy of American Honda Motor Mfg. Inc.
Photo courtesy of American Honda Motor Mfg. Inc.
Photo courtesy of American Honda Motor Mfg. Inc.
Acura MDX
Sales of the Acura MDX were higher in May than they were in January, March, and April of this year. That’s good news for the model, which is about to be completely redesigned.
Acura MDX
Sales of the Acura MDX were higher in May than they were in January, March, and April of this year. That’s good news for the model, which is about to be completely redesigned.
Acura MDX
Sales of the Acura MDX were higher in May than they were in January, March, and April of this year. That’s good news for the model, which is about to be completely redesigned.
Acura MDX
Sales of the Acura MDX were higher in May than they were in January, March, and April of this year. That’s good news for the model, which is about to be completely redesigned.
Acura MDX
Sales of the Acura MDX were higher in May than they were in January, March, and April of this year. That’s good news for the model, which is about to be completely redesigned.
Kia Seltos
Photo courtesy of Kia Motors
Sales of the Kia Seltos were just starting when the pandemic hit. The automaker sold the most Seltos models ever in May 2020, almost doubling what they sold in April.
Kia Seltos
Photo courtesy of Kia Motors
Sales of the Kia Seltos were just starting when the pandemic hit. The automaker sold the most Seltos models ever in May 2020, almost doubling what they sold in April.
Kia Seltos
Photo courtesy of Kia Motors
Sales of the Kia Seltos were just starting when the pandemic hit. The automaker sold the most Seltos models ever in May 2020, almost doubling what they sold in April.
Kia Seltos
Photo courtesy of Kia Motors
Sales of the Kia Seltos were just starting when the pandemic hit. The automaker sold the most Seltos models ever in May 2020, almost doubling what they sold in April.
Kia Seltos
Photo courtesy of Kia Motors
Sales of the Kia Seltos were just starting when the pandemic hit. The automaker sold the most Seltos models ever in May 2020, almost doubling what they sold in April.
Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai sold nearly double the amount of Tucsons in May as they did any other vehicle. The SUV had its best month of the year (no other month came within 5,000 units).
Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai sold nearly double the amount of Tucsons in May as they did any other vehicle. The SUV had its best month of the year (no other month came within 5,000 units).
Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai sold nearly double the amount of Tucsons in May as they did any other vehicle. The SUV had its best month of the year (no other month came within 5,000 units).
Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai sold nearly double the amount of Tucsons in May as they did any other vehicle. The SUV had its best month of the year (no other month came within 5,000 units).
Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai sold nearly double the amount of Tucsons in May as they did any other vehicle. The SUV had its best month of the year (no other month came within 5,000 units).
Honda CR-V
Photo courtesy of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Honda sold more CR-Vs in the month of May than they did in any other month in 2020 so far. That’s about 2.5 times more than the number of SUVs they sold in April and nearly 1.75 times as many as were sold in March. Of note, Honda introduced the CR-V Hybrid to the market during the pandemic, perhaps helping to boost those sales.
Honda CR-V
Photo courtesy of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Honda sold more CR-Vs in the month of May than they did in any other month in 2020 so far. That’s about 2.5 times more than the number of SUVs they sold in April and nearly 1.75 times as many as were sold in March. Of note, Honda introduced the CR-V Hybrid to the market during the pandemic, perhaps helping to boost those sales.
Honda CR-V
Honda sold more CR-Vs in the month of May than they did in any other month in 2020 so far. That’s about 2.5 times more than the number of SUVs they sold in April and nearly 1.75 times as many as were sold in March. Of note, Honda introduced the CR-V Hybrid to the market during the pandemic, perhaps helping to boost those sales.
Honda CR-V
Honda sold more CR-Vs in the month of May than they did in any other month in 2020 so far. That’s about 2.5 times more than the number of SUVs they sold in April and nearly 1.75 times as many as were sold in March. Of note, Honda introduced the CR-V Hybrid to the market during the pandemic, perhaps helping to boost those sales.
Honda CR-V
Photo courtesy of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Honda sold more CR-Vs in the month of May than they did in any other month in 2020 so far. That’s about 2.5 times more than the number of SUVs they sold in April and nearly 1.75 times as many as were sold in March. Of note, Honda introduced the CR-V Hybrid to the market during the pandemic, perhaps helping to boost those sales.
Subaru Forester
Though down considerably year-to-date, sales of the Subaru Forester strengthened in May 2020, outselling May 2019 by over 11 percent. Its May sales were the highest of the year so far.
Subaru Forester
Though down considerably year-to-date, sales of the Subaru Forester strengthened in May 2020, outselling May 2019 by over 11 percent. Its May sales were the highest of the year so far.
Subaru Forester
Though down considerably year-to-date, sales of the Subaru Forester strengthened in May 2020, outselling May 2019 by over 11 percent. Its May sales were the highest of the year so far.
Subaru Forester
Though down considerably year-to-date, sales of the Subaru Forester strengthened in May 2020, outselling May 2019 by over 11 percent. Its May sales were the highest of the year so far.
Subaru Forester
Though down considerably year-to-date, sales of the Subaru Forester strengthened in May 2020, outselling May 2019 by over 11 percent. Its May sales were the highest of the year so far.
Genesis G70
The luxury arm of Hyundai has bounced back nicely after slow sales in March and April. However, it’s G70 is the real stand out with May 2020 being its best sales month of the year.
Genesis G70
Photo courtesy of Genesis Motors
The luxury arm of Hyundai has bounced back nicely after slow sales in March and April. However, it’s G70 is the real stand out with May 2020 being its best sales month of the year.
Genesis G70
Photo courtesy of Genesis Motors
The luxury arm of Hyundai has bounced back nicely after slow sales in March and April. However, it’s G70 is the real stand out with May 2020 being its best sales month of the year.
Genesis G70
Photo courtesy of Genesis Motors
The luxury arm of Hyundai has bounced back nicely after slow sales in March and April. However, it’s G70 is the real stand out with May 2020 being its best sales month of the year.
Genesis G70
Photo courtesy of Genesis Motors
The luxury arm of Hyundai has bounced back nicely after slow sales in March and April. However, it’s G70 is the real stand out with May 2020 being its best sales month of the year.
Kia Soul
Kia sold more Souls in May than it did during any other month in 2020. In fact, there were about 1.65 times more Souls sold in May than there were in April.
Kia Soul
Kia sold more Souls in May than it did during any other month in 2020. In fact, there were about 1.65 times more Souls sold in May than there were in April.
Kia Soul
Kia sold more Souls in May than it did during any other month in 2020. In fact, there were about 1.65 times more Souls sold in May than there were in April.
Kia Soul
Kia sold more Souls in May than it did during any other month in 2020. In fact, there were about 1.65 times more Souls sold in May than there were in April.
Kia Soul
Kia sold more Souls in May than it did during any other month in 2020. In fact, there were about 1.65 times more Souls sold in May than there were in April.
Hyundai Palisade
Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor America
Though Kia Telluride sales have languished due to supply chain issues, its sister model, the Hyundai Palisade, has seen sales flourish. In May, the company sold more Palisades than they had in any month in 2020 so far.
2020 Hyundai Palisade
Though Kia Telluride sales have languished due to supply chain issues, its sister model, the Hyundai Palisade, has seen sales flourish. In May, the company sold more Palisades than they had in any month in 2020 so far.
2020 Hyundai Palisade
Though Kia Telluride sales have languished due to supply chain issues, its sister model, the Hyundai Palisade, has seen sales flourish. In May, the company sold more Palisades than they had in any month in 2020 so far.
2020 Hyundai Palisade
Though Kia Telluride sales have languished due to supply chain issues, its sister model, the Hyundai Palisade, has seen sales flourish. In May, the company sold more Palisades than they had in any month in 2020 so far.
2020 Hyundai Palisade
Though Kia Telluride sales have languished due to supply chain issues, its sister model, the Hyundai Palisade, has seen sales flourish. In May, the company sold more Palisades than they had in any month in 2020 so far.
Mazda Mazda3
Photo courtesy of Mazda North American Operations
Mazda sold nearly double the number of Mazda3s during May than they did in April and about 45 percent more than they did in March. This makes the Mazda3 the company’s best-selling car.
Mazda Mazda3
Mazda sold nearly double the number of Mazda3s during May than they did in April and about 45 percent more than they did in March. This makes the Mazda3 the company’s best-selling car.
Mazda Mazda3
Mazda sold nearly double the number of Mazda3s during May than they did in April and about 45 percent more than they did in March. This makes the Mazda3 the company’s best-selling car.
Mazda Mazda3
Mazda sold nearly double the number of Mazda3s during May than they did in April and about 45 percent more than they did in March. This makes the Mazda3 the company’s best-selling car.
Mazda Mazda3
Mazda sold nearly double the number of Mazda3s during May than they did in April and about 45 percent more than they did in March. This makes the Mazda3 the company’s best-selling car.
Honda Pilot
Honda doubled the number of Pilots it sold in both March and April in May. The over 12,000 sold is, by far, the highest number sold per month in 2020.
Photo courtesy of American Honda Motor Co., Inc
Honda doubled the number of Pilots it sold in both March and April in May. The over 12,000 sold is, by far, the highest number sold per month in 2020.
Photo courtesy of American Honda Motor Co., Inc
Honda doubled the number of Pilots it sold in both March and April in May. The over 12,000 sold is, by far, the highest number sold per month in 2020.
Photo courtesy of American Honda Motor Co., Inc
Honda doubled the number of Pilots it sold in both March and April in May. The over 12,000 sold is, by far, the highest number sold per month in 2020.
Photo courtesy of American Honda Motor Co., Inc
Honda doubled the number of Pilots it sold in both March and April in May. The over 12,000 sold is, by far, the highest number sold per month in 2020.
Subaru WRX/STI
The aging car, which is one of the remaining few that comes with a manual transmission offering, celebrated its best month of sales so far this year. Sales of the Subaru WRX/STI were up nearly seven percent in May 2020 compared to May 2019.
Subaru WRX/STI
The aging car, which is one of the remaining few that comes with a manual transmission offering, celebrated its best month of sales so far this year. Sales of the Subaru WRX/STI were up nearly seven percent in May 2020 compared to May 2019.
Subaru WRX/STI
The aging car, which is one of the remaining few that comes with a manual transmission offering, celebrated its best month of sales so far this year. Sales of the Subaru WRX/STI were up nearly seven percent in May 2020 compared to May 2019.
Subaru WRX/STI
The aging car, which is one of the remaining few that comes with a manual transmission offering, celebrated its best month of sales so far this year. Sales of the Subaru WRX/STI were up nearly seven percent in May 2020 compared to May 2019.
Subaru WRX/STI
The aging car, which is one of the remaining few that comes with a manual transmission offering, celebrated its best month of sales so far this year. Sales of the Subaru WRX/STI were up nearly seven percent in May 2020 compared to May 2019.
Hyundai Santa Fe
Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor America
Like the Tucson, Hyundai has seen the Santa Fe achieve the highest total number of sales in May as it has in any month of 2020. The numbers are nearly double the amount of vehicles sold in April.
Hyundai Santa Fe
Like the Tucson, Hyundai has seen the Santa Fe achieve the highest total number of sales in May as it has in any month of 2020. The numbers are nearly double the amount of vehicles sold in April.
Hyundai Santa Fe
Like the Tucson, Hyundai has seen the Santa Fe achieve the highest total number of sales in May as it has in any month of 2020. The numbers are nearly double the amount of vehicles sold in April.
Hyundai Santa Fe
Like the Tucson, Hyundai has seen the Santa Fe achieve the highest total number of sales in May as it has in any month of 2020. The numbers are nearly double the amount of vehicles sold in April.
Hyundai Santa Fe
Like the Tucson, Hyundai has seen the Santa Fe achieve the highest total number of sales in May as it has in any month of 2020. The numbers are nearly double the amount of vehicles sold in April.
Kia Stinger
Kia Stinger sales have not been stellar, but in May they picked up a lot of momentum nearly doubling the number the company sold in March.
Kia Stinger
Photo courtesy of Kia Motors
Kia Stinger sales have not been stellar, but in May they picked up a lot of momentum nearly doubling the number the company sold in March.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord faces stiff competition from the Toyota Camry it also faced the economic downturn by losing about half of its average monthly sales. With dealerships back open, the Accord had its second-best sales month of the year in May.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord faces stiff competition from the Toyota Camry it also faced the economic downturn by losing about half of its average monthly sales. With dealerships back open, the Accord had its second-best sales month of the year in May.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord faces stiff competition from the Toyota Camry it also faced the economic downturn by losing about half of its average monthly sales. With dealerships back open, the Accord had its second-best sales month of the year in May.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord faces stiff competition from the Toyota Camry it also faced the economic downturn by losing about half of its average monthly sales. With dealerships back open, the Accord had its second-best sales month of the year in May.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord faces stiff competition from the Toyota Camry it also faced the economic downturn by losing about half of its average monthly sales. With dealerships back open, the Accord had its second-best sales month of the year in May.
Kia Sorento
Kia sold more Sorentos in May than they did in January, March, and April. The SUV nearly outsold the Sportage and Kia sold about 2.5 times as many Sorentos as they did Telluride. The Sorento is getting a complete redesign for the 2021 model year.
Kia Sorento
Kia sold more Sorentos in May than they did in January, March, and April. The SUV nearly outsold the Sportage and Kia sold about 2.5 times as many Sorentos as they did Telluride. The Sorento is getting a complete redesign for the 2021 model year.
Kia Sorento
Kia sold more Sorentos in May than they did in January, March, and April. The SUV nearly outsold the Sportage and Kia sold about 2.5 times as many Sorentos as they did Telluride. The Sorento is getting a complete redesign for the 2021 model year.
Kia Sorento
Kia sold more Sorentos in May than they did in January, March, and April. The SUV nearly outsold the Sportage and Kia sold about 2.5 times as many Sorentos as they did Telluride. The Sorento is getting a complete redesign for the 2021 model year.
Kia Sorento
Kia sold more Sorentos in May than they did in January, March, and April. The SUV nearly outsold the Sportage and Kia sold about 2.5 times as many Sorentos as they did Telluride. The Sorento is getting a complete redesign for the 2021 model year.
Honda Civic
Photo courtesy of American Honda Motor Co., Inc
As well as the Accord did, the Civic did better, having its best sales month of 2020 so far in May – and it wasn’t even close.
Honda Civic
As well as the Accord did, the Civic did better, having its best sales month of 2020 so far in May – and it wasn’t even close.
Honda Civic
As well as the Accord did, the Civic did better, having its best sales month of 2020 so far in May – and it wasn’t even close.
Honda Civic
As well as the Accord did, the Civic did better, having its best sales month of 2020 so far in May – and it wasn’t even close.
Honda Civic
As well as the Accord did, the Civic did better, having its best sales month of 2020 so far in May – and it wasn’t even close.
