Hyundai Announces Goal To Extend Fuel Efficiency Leadership

SYDNEY – Aug, 16, 2010: Hyundai, already recognised as America’s most fuel efficient auto manufacturer, has announced plans to maintain and extend its leadership with a target corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) rating of at least 4.7 l/100km (50 US mpg) in 2025 for its line-up of passenger cars and light duty trucks.

Since 2008 Hyundai Motor America (HMA) has been recognised at the most fuel-efficient manufacturer in the US, an achievement that has supported a +50% increase in the company’s market share there in recent years. It seems fuel economy is now top of mind for US consumers, and is a major influence in vehicle evaluation and buying behaviours.

In line with Hyundai’s philosophy of setting stretch objectives, the company has announced plans to deliver a 4.7 l/100km (50 US mpg) CAFE rating by 2025, surpassing the 2016 target set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which requires a 6.6 l/100km (35.5 US mpg) rating. HMA is already well on target to achieving this target by 2015.

Leveraging the company’s global Blue Drive strategy, which aligns the R&D resources of the engineering centres in California, Michigan, Korea, India and Germany, Hyundai is rapidly developing more fuel-efficient vehicle technologies.

Key enablers are improvements and innovation in powertrains including gasoline direct injection (GDI), turbocharging, electric hybrids, plug-in hybrids, light-weight materials and the introduction of a streamlined ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language. Hyundai’s global research and development efforts have been pivotal in the plan to achieve a range average of 4.7 l/100km (50 US mpg) by 2025.

In Australia, Hyundai was recently recognized as the most carbon-efficient volume automotive brand in a report issued by the National Transport Commission (NTC). Of the fifteen manufacturers which annually sell 95 per cent of new vehicles in Australia, Hyundai recorded the lowest average CO2 vehicle emissions in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 with an average output of 181 g/km.*

Hyundai’s newest models in the Australian market continue to lead the way; the game-changing new i45 combining aerodynamic styling, exceptional fuel efficiency and class-leading power from its advanced Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) four cylinder engine.

Meanwhile the recently launched i20, ECO Car Magazine’s 2010 ECO Car of the Year, recently covered 1269 km on a single tank of fuel, travelling from Sydney to Bundaberg in the process.

“Hyundai has long been recognised as a leader in vehicle operating costs,” said Oliver Mann, Hyundai Motor Company’s Director of Marketing. “The company is now establishing global leadership in vehicle design and powertrain technology, and the resulting efficiency gains will further benefit Hyundai drivers.”