Fuel-Efficient Hyundai Cars
The return of the econobox: Hyundai will introduce stripped-down Accent (above) and Elantra models, with low-cost mpg-enhancing measures, as a way to offer high-mpg models for a low cost.
Hyundai hasn't yet put a hybrid car on the market, but the company is setting high goals for its fuel efficiency efforts. The company plans to achieve a fleet average of 35 miles per gallon by 2015, five years ahead of the timetable for new fuel economy regulations.
“We’re taking fuel efficiency higher and faster than any other carmaker. We’re going to pass Toyota and Honda by 2015,” said John Krafcik, vice president of product development at Hyundai Motor America, in an interview with HybridCars.com.
Hyundai’s fuel efficiency campaign—dubbed “Hyundai Blue Drive”—features a range of advanced technologies, including hybrids powered by lithium batteries, turbocharged gasoline direct injection, and eventually plug-in hybrids and fuel cell electric vehicles. But in keeping with its brand, Hyundai will also focus on near-term, low-cost fuel efficiency strategies—such as low-rolling-resistance tires, enhanced aerodynamics, and revised engine calibrations—to offer the highest mpg at the lowest cost.
Perhaps the biggest number recently offered up by Hyundai is 500,000. That’s its target for annual hybrid sales by 2018, according to Brandon Yea, senior vice president for marketing. To reach that goal, Hyundai will need to move very fast. The company’s first gas-electric vehicle, the mid-size Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, doesn’t goes on sale until 2010.
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Hyundai Hybrid and Fuel Efficient Vehicles
| Sort by: | Name | Combined MPG  | Technology | MSRP | Available | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 31 MPG | Hybrid | n/a | 2010 | Hyundai's first hybrid could offer efficiency above 30 mpg, for thousands below the competition. |
 | Hyundai Accent Hybrid | n/a | Hybrid | n/a | 2010 | Hyundai delayed development of its $15,000 45-mpg subcompact until 2009, at the earliest. |
Top news for Hyundai
Hyundai Goes Super Green at Frankfurt Auto Show- The 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show won’t start until September 17, but Korea’s Hyundai Motor Company is already establishing itself as the company with perhaps the boldest vision for a green car future. Vehicles with Hyundai and Kia badges on display in Frankfurt will include hybrid city cars, a hybrid crossover SUV concept, an all-electric city car, a plug-in hybrid, diesel vehicles with micro-hybrid stop-start technology, and mid-size lithium-battery-powered sedans running on liquid petroleum gas.
2020 Models to Shrink and Lose Weight- The consensus of a panel of auto industry experts, meeting at the recent Automotive News World Congress, was that in 10 years, cars will be smaller, lighter and have more variety in powertrains and fuel choices.
Hyundai Aims for 35 mpg Average by 2015- Hyundai Motor America announced today that it will be able to achieve a fleet average of 35 miles per gallon by 2015, five years ahead of the timetable for new fuel economy regulations. The company revealed its fuel economy goals at the Los Angeles Auto Show, where it unveiled the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and described its plan for low-cost high-mpg options on other models.
Hyundai Plans to Sell 500,000 Hybrids Annually- Hyundai has not yet put a hybrid car on the market—and yet the company is throwing around big numbers for its hybrid program: an SUV that gets 38 miles to the gallon; a diesel minicar that beats 60 mpg; and 500,000 annual hybrid sales by 2018.
Hyundai: Simple Improvements First- While the Toyota hybrid juggernaut marches on, and European automakers continue to lean on diesel to boost fuel economy, Hyundai is taking the simple low-cost route. That means improving powertrain efficiency and reducing weight.
Hyundai To Mass Produce Hybrids in 2009- After delaying its hybrid program for two years, Hyundai Motors announced that it will begin mass producing hybrid cars in 2009. The first model under the new initiative will be the Avante―sold as Elantra worldwide. The announcement indicates Hyundai's intent to resume its hybrid plans.
Hyundai Announces Plans for Lithium Ion Hybrid
- A hybrid version of the Hyundai Elantra, powered by lithium ion batteries, could arrive in the U.S. as early as 2010. But the lithium battery technology has not yet been proven safe, reliable and cost-effective.
- All that sells does not a profit make. Not at first, anyway. But if you have a guaranteed market and a product that's in demand, it seems likely that profit will be forthcoming eventually.