The Hyundai Motor Group has been awarded the title of “greenest automaker” in the US, according to a report released by the advocacy group Union of Concerned Scientists. The Korean company, which includes Hyundai and Kia brands, has unseated Honda from the top spot, thanks in part to hybrid versions of the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima.
“Hyundai-Kia has made a concerted effort to improve the fuel efficiency of its fleet — and therefore reduce its global warming emissions — by turbocharging and downsizing engines utilized in a number of models,” the report said. “Honda continues to lead the way in many classes of vehicles, but it now lags the industry average in its midsize fleet — which includes its best-selling Accord, and accounts for a quarter of the company’s sales.”
Although Hyundai won top honors, the group credits all automakers for improving their environmental performance. Federal and state emissions guidelines have been credited with driving a 43-percent improvement in emissions from average vehicles since 1998.
“Despite this progress, the Detroit “Big Three”–Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler–still lag behind, with higher than average smog-forming and global warming pollution emissions,” the researchers noted.
