Both Hyundai and Kia have acknowledged overstating fuel economy in several of their vehicle models, such as the Hyundai Elantra.The two major Korean automakers operating in the U.S. have acknowledged overstating the fuel economy delivered by vehicles like the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Sorrento by as much as six miles per gallon.
Discovered during a routine audit by the Environmental Protection Agency, the makers will now face government sanctions that could add up to millions of dollars in fines. They have promised to refund money to buyers but also could face the same lawsuits other makers have been hit with after promoting inaccurate mileage or performance numbers.
“Consumers rely on the window sticker to help make informed choices about the cars they buy,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator of the EPA’s air-quality office. “EPA’s investigation will help protect consumers and ensure a level playing field among automakers.”
The audit was triggered by a dozen complaints received by the agency which oversees federal fuel economy rules. The motorists said there was a large gap between the mileage ratings shown on their vehicles’ so-called Monroney stickers and what they actually yielded in real-world use.
That led the agency’s office in Ann Arbor, Mich., where mileage testing is done, to compare EPA’s results with the paperwork submitted by Hyundai and Kia.
A total of 900,000 sold in the U.S. could be affected, according to the EPA, which cited 13 different models. That includes seven different Hyundais: Elantra, Sonata Hybrid, Accent, Azera, Genesis, Tucson, Veloster and Santa Fe models. And six different Kias were impacted: Kia Sorrento, Rio, Soul, Sportage and Optima Hybrid.
The makers claim they changed their internal testing procedures in 2010, resulting in the problem. They contend that vehicles produced before then should not have to have their mileage restated.
Most of the models’ numbers were overstated by one to two miles per gallon, but the funky Kia Soul will have to adjust its claims by a full 6 mpg.
“We’re extremely sorry about these errors,” said Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik, adding “We’re driven to make this right.”
Meanwhile, Michael Sprague, the marketing chief for Kia Motors America also apologized, noting that both makers will reimburse customers for the difference in fuel economy numbers.
Discovered during a routine audit by the Environmental Protection Agency, the makers will now face government sanctions that could add up to millions of dollars in fines. They have promised to refund money to buyers but also could face the same lawsuits other makers have been hit with after promoting inaccurate mileage or performance numbers.
“Consumers rely on the window sticker to help make informed choices about the cars they buy,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator of the EPA’s air-quality office. “EPA’s investigation will help protect consumers and ensure a level playing field among automakers.”
The audit was triggered by a dozen complaints received by the agency which oversees federal fuel economy rules. The motorists said there was a large gap between the mileage ratings shown on their vehicles’ so-called Monroney stickers and what they actually yielded in real-world use.
That led the agency’s office in Ann Arbor, Mich., where mileage testing is done, to compare EPA’s results with the paperwork submitted by Hyundai and Kia.
A total of 900,000 sold in the U.S. could be affected, according to the EPA, which cited 13 different models. That includes seven different Hyundais: Elantra, Sonata Hybrid, Accent, Azera, Genesis, Tucson, Veloster and Santa Fe models. And six different Kias were impacted: Kia Sorrento, Rio, Soul, Sportage and Optima Hybrid.
The makers claim they changed their internal testing procedures in 2010, resulting in the problem. They contend that vehicles produced before then should not have to have their mileage restated.
Most of the models’ numbers were overstated by one to two miles per gallon, but the funky Kia Soul will have to adjust its claims by a full 6 mpg.
“We’re extremely sorry about these errors,” said Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik, adding “We’re driven to make this right.”
Meanwhile, Michael Sprague, the marketing chief for Kia Motors America also apologized, noting that both makers will reimburse customers for the difference in fuel economy numbers.
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