Hyundai tops fuel-economy rankings

One year after promising to become the leading manufacturer in fuel economy, Hyundai delivered by topping the latest U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's fuel economy report. Hyundai passed all major manufacturers in Corporate Average Fuel Economy, including traditional leaders like Honda and Toyota.

The report demonstrates the effectiveness of Hyundai's value-driven fuel-efficiency strategy, which focuses on the intelligent application of cost-effective technologies. The report also substantiates Hyundai's leadership in the race to achieve the government-mandated 2016 CAFE standard of 35.5 miles per gallon.

The EPA 2009 Light-Duty Automotive Technology and Fuel Economy Trends Report indicates that Hyundai has the highest MY 2009 E.P.A. laboratory 55/45 fuel economy with 30.1 miles per gallon. Hyundai is also the only automaker to top 30 mpg in the report.

"Our thoughtful application of cost-effective, fuel-efficient technologies has helped us achieve our goal of leading the industry in fuel economy ahead of schedule," said John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "Now we hope to extend that leadership with the launch of our new direct injection, turbocharging and lithium-polymer hybrid technologies, all of which will be a part of the 2011 Sonata lineup launching early next year."

Hyundai is aligning global R&D resources at its engineering centers in California, Michigan, Korea, India and Germany to develop Blue Drive technologies, such as direct injection, turbocharging, hybrid drive systems and a number of others, to lower emissions and fuel consumption further.