Friday, November 2, 2012

Hyundai & Kia Adjust MPG Ratings - Customers Get Reimbursed

Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America, following discussions with the EPA, are voluntarily adjusting the fuel economy ratings for approximately 900,000 or 35 percent of 2011-13 model year vehicles sold through October 31, 2012 after procedural errors at the automakers' joint testing operations in Korea led to incorrect fuel economy ratings for select vehicle lines. The 2012 Hyundai/Kia fleet fuel economy level is being reduced by an average of 3 percent – from 27 to 26 MPG.

The fuel economy rating discrepancies resulted from procedural errors during a process called "coastdown" testing at the companies' joint testing operations in Korea. Coastdown testing simulates aerodynamic drag, tire rolling resistance and drivetrain frictional losses and provides the technical data used to program the test dynamometers that generate EPA fuel economy ratings. 

Both Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America are putting in place a comprehensive reimbursement program for affected current and former vehicle owners to cover the additional fuel costs associated with the fuel economy rating change.  Customers will receive a personalized debit card that will reimburse them for their difference in the EPA combined fuel economy rating, based on the fuel price in their area and their own actual miles driven.  In addition, as an acknowledgment of the inconvenience this may cause, we will add an extra 15 percent to the reimbursement amount. Current owners will be able to refresh their debit card for as long as they own the vehicle. Prior owners of affected vehicles who have already sold their cars will also be reimbursed using the same formula.

For more information about reimbursement and a complete list of eligible vehicles, customers can visit www.HyundaiMPGinfo.com and www.KiaMPGinfo.com.