Investing.com -- The Detroit Three automakers are set to report weaker third-quarter U.S. sales this week compared to Asian competitors, as rising gasoline prices from the Iran war drive consumers toward hybrid and fuel-efficient vehicles.

General Motors, Ford Motor and Stellantis could see their combined market share fall to approximately 36% in the third quarter. Asian brands, led by Toyota and Honda with strong hybrid offerings, are expected to capture more than half of new vehicle sales during the period, according to industry research firm Cox Automotive.

Gasoline prices reached a national average of $4.43 per gallon in September, up from $3.20 a year earlier, according to AAA. This increase has pushed hybrid vehicles to the top of consumer preferences.

Toyota Motor Corporation is projected to gain the most from this shift, with overall third-quarter sales expected to rise 2.2% from a year earlier.

General Motors is expected to maintain its position as the top seller in the U.S. market, though Cox estimates its overall quarterly sales dropped 5.2% from a year ago.

Hyundai Motor Group is positioned to exceed Ford in quarterly U.S. sales for the first time. Cox forecasts Hyundai will sell 511,421 units compared to Ford's 504,172.

Stellantis quarterly sales are estimated to have declined by about 1% to 317,330 units from a year earlier.

The average transaction price for a new vehicle increased 1.9% to $50,089 in August from a year earlier, according to Cox.

Cox estimates overall U.S. sales in the quarter at about 4.1 million units, down roughly 1% from a year earlier.

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