Hyundai Motor lowered its 2026 vehicle-sales and investment targets on October 29, even as its third-quarter operating profit increased from a year earlier.
The South Korean automaker now targets sales of 4 million vehicles, down from approximately 4.16 million. It reduced its annual investment plan to 16 trillion won from 17.8 trillion won and cut its operating-margin forecast to 5.5%–6.5% from 6.3%–7.3%, Reuters reported.
Those revisions describe management’s expectations for the full year. The completed July–September results show a different picture across profit measures: operating profit rose 5.5% to about 2.7 trillion won, while net income fell 24.2% to 1.93 trillion won.
Revenue declined 3.4% to 45.11 trillion won. Yonhap reported that Hyundai attributed the weaker net result to production disruptions and sluggish demand, citing a regulatory filing.
The stronger operating result exceeded the 2.4 trillion won LSEG SmartEstimate cited by Reuters. Net income, however, missed the 2.12 trillion won consensus compiled by Yonhap Infomax. The two comparisons concern different earnings measures and different analyst surveys.
Reuters said favorable exchange rates helped cushion the impact of partial strikes and weaker sales of older models. It also reported that Hyundai had maintained its annual guidance in July, when it expected new models and increased production to support second-half growth.
The reduced outlook therefore marks a change from that earlier position. It does not alter the distinction between quarterly operating performance and the lower profit remaining after other expenses and taxes.
Sources Reuters — October 29 results via StreetInsider: https://www.streetinsider.com/Reuters/Hyundai%2BMotor%2Breports%2B5.5%25%2Brise%2Bin%2BQ3%2Boperating%2Bprofit%2C%2Bbeats%2Bforecasts/27250837.html Yonhap — October 29 filing report: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261029006951320