Hyundai Motor Co. can meet the proposed US fuel efficiency standard of 35 miles per gallon in the fleets of its Hyundai and Kia brands by 2015, five years ahead of a U.S. deadline, without relying heavily on hybrid vehicles, the company's research chief said Tuesday. The declaration is a bold statement of technical confidence by the South Korean manufacturer, which has trailed behind Japanese and U.S. manufacturers in the development of fuel-sipping hybrid vehicles. It also distinguishes the company from competitors that have argued to U.S. regulators in recent weeks that an interim step in boosting fuel standards -- to 31.6 mpg by 2015 -- is too aggressive.
Hyundai will focus on building smaller cars using lighter materials as well as new engine and powertrain technologies such as gasoline direct injection, dual continuously variable valve timing and eight-speed automatic transmissions to hit the new U.S. fuel-efficiency standards, said Lee Hyun-soon, president of Hyundai's research and development division. The company is also unlikely to enter the gas-guzzling U.S. pickup-truck market, he said.