Increased stringency of emissions regulations have forced Hyundai, Kia to announce a plan to cut the emissions of their entire US, Europe and Korea lineup by 25 percent by the end of the decade.
And yes, it is connected to the recent $350 million combined fine in the US where they overstated the economy of some models.
Reuters says the decision to go green(er) was also prompted by diminishing sales on the home South Korean market. It quotes official statements which announced the duo “would develop next-generation engines and transmissions, reduce the weight of key models and expand their line-up of environmentally friendly vehicles to reach the target.”
The weight reduction would come courtesy of extra use of high-strength steels manufactured by their local steelmaking affiliate, Hyundai Steel.
Hybrids will also play their part in the planned improvement; two models will be launched first: a revised version of the hybrid Sonata and the speculated Toyota Prius rival from Hyundai.
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