June 3 (Reuters) - U.S. auto sales for Ford Motor ( F )

and South Korea's Hyundai Motor ( HYMTF ) rose in May, the

companies reported on Tuesday, as concerns over potential

tariff-related price hikes prompted buyers to act fast on their

purchases of cars and SUVs.

U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policies have fueled

uncertainty across the auto industry, driving up supply costs,

pressuring margins and pushing some automakers to pass the

expenses on to consumers.

The sales also got a boost from offers and trade-in deals

for affordable pickups and crossovers.

Ford's overall sales rose to 220,959 units in May from

190,014 units a year ago.

The Detroit automaker's F-Series truck sales climbed 15% to

79,817 vehicles during the month.

Ford in April extended discounted rates to its customers

that are generally reserved for its workers to keep sales

moving, although the automaker also hiked prices on three of its

Mexico-made products in May.

Hyundai also reported an 8% year-on-year rise in U.S. auto

sales to 84,521 vehicles in May.

The company noticed a pick up in demand in March and April

with a "little bit of a rush" from consumers coming in to

purchase because they were concerned about potential tariff

price increases, Randy Parker, CEO of Hyundai Motor America,

said in an interview on Tuesday.

But no decisions were made on changing sticker prices for

the brand's vehicles as a result of tariffs, Parker added.

A price protection program instituted by the automaker in

early April ended on June 2 and was not extended. The program

guarantees no hikes to sticker prices on new vehicles sold

through the period.

"This period really marks our regular annual pricing

review," Parker said. "We take a look at market dynamics,

consumer demand, independent of tariffs."