Automakers on Feb. 3 began releasing sales results for January 2025, showing a solid -- and in some cases, record-breaking -- start to the year.
Honda
American Honda sales totaled 96,774 units in January, up 3.8% compared to last year, despite winter weather that impacted several markets for multiple days. In the first month of the year, American Honda enjoyed record sales of light trucks and electrified models, overcoming supply issues due to the shutdown of two auto plants in Ohio for most of December in preparation for EV production later this year.
The Honda brand January sales of 88,083 units were up 4.1% year-over-year, as demand remained strong across the lineup.
Honda set an all-time January sales record for electrified vehicles with 29,762 units, led by hybrid sales. The CR-V and Accord represented a 55% hybrid mix, Civic sales were over 34% hybrid, and Prologue sales topped 3,700 units.
The Acura brand started the year off strong, with sales totaling 8,691 units, up 0.6% year-over-year.
Acura SUV sales reached 6,944 units in January, up 17.9%, despite the impact of plant retooling at the East Liberty Auto Plant due to EV Hub preparations, which produces the MDX and RDX.
All-electric ZDX sales momentum carried over from 2024, with over 1,300 units sold in January, marking its second-best month of all time.
Kia
Kia America opened 2025 with the highest January sales in company history with sales of 57,007 units. This figure represents a 12% increase compared to the same period last year, marking the successful start of 2025 after achieving record annual sales for two consecutive years.
Retail sales at Kia dealerships also set a new January record, up 10% over same period last year, reflecting a strong double-digit growth trend.
This strong January performance included Kia's SUV and electrified lineup sales increasing over the previous records set in January 2024. Five Kia models set all-time January sales records: Forte/K4 (+29%); EV6 (+27%); Carnival (+22%); Telluride (+16%) and Sportage (+14%).
Mazda
Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) reported total January sales of 33,681 vehicles, an increase of 11.2% compared to January 2024 and its best-ever performance for the month. With 25 selling days in January, compared to the same the year prior, the company posted an increase of 11.2% on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis.
Certified pre-owned sales totaled 5,931 vehicles in January, also a record for the month and an increase of 4.0% compared to January 2024.
Subaru
Subaru of America, Inc. reported 46,354 vehicle sales for January 2025, a 4.1% increase compared to January 2024 (44,510). January also marked the 30th consecutive month of yearly month-over-month sales increases for the automaker.
Forester regained its position as the top performer by volume with 12,948 vehicle sales, and Crosstrek sales followed closely behind with 12,625 vehicles sold in January, an 11.5% increase over the same month in 2024. Outback sales also remained strong with 10,794 vehicles sold. In addition to these sales volume leaders Solterra also continued to see sales growth, achieving its best January ever, up 177% over the previous year.
