Hyundai has achieved top ratings in reports issued by the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) in the US. One year after promising to become the leading manufacturer in fuel economy, Hyundai delivered by topping the latest EPA fuel economy report.

Hyundai passed all major manufacturers in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) including traditional leaders like Honda and Toyota. The report demonstrates the effectiveness of Hyundai's value-driven fuel-efficiency strategy, which focuses on the intelligent application of cost-effective technologies.

The EPA 2009 Light-Duty Automotive Technology and Fuel Economy Trends Report indicates that Hyundai has the lowest MY 2009 laboratory 55/45 fuel economy with 7.81L/100km. Hyundai claimed the top spot, just ahead of traditional fuel economy leader Honda.

Hyundai was then rated as the second most fuel economic car brand in the US, placed just behind Honda, but ahead of Toyota. The second placing was awarded for the most fuel-efficient fleets of 2009 where the Hyundai fleet achieved 10.05 L/100km.

Hyundai say that the placing is extremely pleasing as, unlike Honda and Toyota, the Korean carmaker doesn't have a hybrid car on sale in the US and the result sees global automotive writers labelling the brand as the 'new Honda' of the car industry in engine design leadership.

"The EPA result is even more pleasing for Hyundai considering the company earned its merits on incredibly efficient and environmentally friendly petrol and diesel engines and has not yet pulled the Hybrid vehicle 'card' to get the overall fleet fuel usage down," says Tom Ruddenklau, National Sales Manager for Hyundai New Zealand.

The award comes hot on the heels of the release of the R-Series diesel engine here in New Zealand and also the new 2.4-liter Theta II GDI engine.

The direct injection (GDI) petrol engine operates with greater efficiency using less fuel, creating fewer emissions and delivering improved throttle response, all while producing more power than a traditional port-injected engine.

"The new Theta II is a great engine to have in a host of Hyundai models including the Santa Fe, the forth coming ix-35 and the new, yet to be launched, i-50. At Hyundai's core is a promise to deliver unparalleled quality and value to our customers - these new engines deliver just that," says Ruddenklau.

Mr Ruddenklau finished by saying, "Hyundai are looking to lead the industry and technology in the area of fuel efficiency. Our performance in the EPA survey reflects this."