Semiconductor Shortage Hurting Green Car Sales
Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp. said the combined domestic sales of their eco-friendly cars surged 42 percent in 2021 from the same period 2020. All types of green cars, including hybrid cars, electric vehicles (EVs), and hydrogen electric vehicles (HEVs), showed an increase compared to the same period of 2020.
The two companies sold a total of 75,336 eco-friendly cars in the January-May period of 2021. By type, they sold 54,560 hybrid cars, up 35.6 percent from 2020; 17,111 EVs, up 62.2 percent; and 3,665 HEVs, up 59.7 percent.
Industry watchers say that a continued increase in green car sales depends on the supply of automotive semiconductors. "Electrification models such as hybrid cars and EVs require more semiconductors than regular internal combustion engine-powered cars," an industry official said.
A shortage of semiconductors caused frequent plant shutdowns, hurting hybrid car sales. Hyundai Motor's sales of hybrid cars in May fell 24.8 percent on year to 4,095 units.