Hyundai targets to meet U.S. fuel standard early

South Koreas Hyundai Motor Co. can meet the proposed United States fuel efficiency standard of 35 miles per gallon (mpg) or 15 kilometers per liter (kpl) by 2015, five years ahead of the United States deadline, without relying heavily on hybrid vehicles, the company’s research chief said. The declaration is a bold statement of technical confidence by the South Korean manufacturer, which has trailed behind the Japanese and U.S. car manufacturers in the development of hybrid vehicles. It also distinguishes the company from competitors that have argued to United States regulators in recent weeks that an interim step in boosting fuel standards — to 31.6 mpg (13.5 kpl) by 2015 — is too aggressive. Hyundai will focus on building smaller cars using lighter materials as well as new engine and powertrain technologies such as gasoline direct injection, dual continuously variable valve timing and eight-speed automatic transmissions to meet the new U.S. fuel-efficiency standards, said Lee Hyun-soon, president of Hyundai’s research and development division. The company also will sell a compact hybrid in South Korea under both the Hyundai and Kia brands in 2009 and a mid-size hybrid in the United States under both brands in 2010. (September 3, 2008)