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Hyundai,
Kia
Hyundai and
Kia are lowering the fuel economy estimates on a majority of 2012 and 2013 models.
The Detroit News reports a probe by the
Environmental Protection Agency has found both manufacturers guilty of posting false fuel economy estimates on vehicle window stickers since late 2010. The companies will spend millions of dollars compensating the owners of some 900,000 vehicles sold under the claims. This marks the largest spate of fuel economy reductions in the history of the automotive industry. Prior to this probe, only two vehicles have seen their window sticker fuel economy values reduced since 2000.
Hyundai aggressively advertised the fact that the brand offers four models that boast 40 mpg, but that claim is no longer true. The
2013 Hyundai Accent,
Veloster and
Elantra will now see their EPA estimates fall to either 37 or 38 miles per gallon on the highway. The report quotes Hyundai CEO John Krafcik as saying, "We're extremely sorry about these errors" and blamed "procedural errors" in the company's fuel economy testing as the reason behind the discrepancy.
All told, 35 percent of 2011-2013 models sold through October will see a reduction. Of those, 580,000 will see a drop of around 1 mpg, while 240,000 units will have their EPA figures cut by 2 mpg. The remaining 80,000 will drop by 3 to 4 mpg. Owners will be compensated based on their vehicles' odometer readings, and Kia will contribute an additional 15 percent over the dollar value. The funds will be awarded via prepaid debit cards. For an owner who drove 15,000 miles, an adjustment of 1 mpg would result in a refund of around $88.
For some time there has been suspicion that the Korean automakers' fuel economy claims were too optimistic, which most recently led to a
class-action lawsuit filed in July of this year by an organization called Consumer Watchdog on behalf of Elantra owner Louis Bird of California.
Hyundai, Kia admit exaggerated mileage claims, will compensate owners originally appeared on
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Report: Hyundai, Kia admit exaggerated mileage claims, will compensate owners
