Hyundai Aims To Raise Mileage Benchmark

50 miles per gallon fleet average by 2025.

“Aim for nothing and you’ll certainly succeed.” Or so goes one form of the adage.

John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motors, on a tear over the past few years due to new, fuel efficient models, is promising to aim high by delivering a fleet average of 50 miles to the gallon by 2025. In just 15 years, Hyundai expects that it will be able to deliver on its promise, but with mostly gas-powered cars supplemented by hybrids, electric cars and other technologies.

Krafcik Promises

That promise comes from John Krafcik, Hyundai America’s chief executive, speaking to Center for Automotive Research’s Management Briefing Seminars as reported by Nick Bunkley of the The New York Times on August 4, 2010. Krafcik said that the Korean automaker doesn’t know for certain how they will reach that goal, but believes that it is achievable.

Hyundai has had the most fuel efficient fleet of any full line automotive manufacturer since 2008 with cars such as the 35 miles per gallon Hyundai Sonata helping the automaker set the pace. The Sonata is a five-passenger midsize sedan powered by gas engines and soon to include a hybrid model. The Hyundai fleet averaged 30.9 mpg in 2008, the last year such statistics were offered.

Fleet Averages

All automakers must meet a new fleet average of 35.5 mpg by 2016 with General Motors, Ford and Chrysler likely having the most difficulty doing so as their fleets contain many large trucks, sport-utility vehicles and large crossover models.  Hyundai has avoided large vehicles for the most part, although its Genesis sedan and upcoming large Equus run counter to that trend.

Hyundai’s string of success hasn’t escaped the notice of the academic community with the Wharton School noting that Hyundai invested in new models and quality programs well before the economy dropped in 2008 and 2009. Indeed, in 2009 Hyundai was one of only three automakers to post year over year gains with its sister operation, Kia, and niche Japanese automaker, Subaru, being the other two.

Hyundai Takes Wraps Off of Sonata Turbo

In March 2010, just two months after releasing the first of several 2011 Sonata models, Hyundai began to tease us with information about its upcoming Sonata turbo. That model, powered by a 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged four-cylinder paired with a six-speed automatic transmission is about to be released, with the potential to shake up what Hyundai calls a bland automotive segment.

Segment Leader

And disturb the segment the Sonata Turbo will do as this model offers class leading horsepower (274), torque (269) and gas mileage (22/34).  Moreover, with a price ranging from about $26,000 to just under $30,000, the Sonata Turbo may prove to be the best value in the segment for those drivers wanting an extra measure of performance.

Already the price leader with its $20K base model, the well-equipped Sonata turbo features a panoramic sunroof, dual exhaust system, steering wheel mounted paddle shifters and 18-inch silver alloy wheels. The Sonata is also the largest car it in its segment, not much off the pace of some full-size sedans.

Three Models

Don’t expect Hyundai to rest on its laurels when the Sonata turbo goes on sale later this year. The company has already announced that a third model, a hybrid, will debut early next year as a 2012 model and has plans to introduce a plug-in hybrid the following year.

Hyundai is also exploring the feasibility of selling its Sonata wagon in North America, a car that is already available across the European market. The wagon market has produced some interest of late including the now defunct Dodge Magnum and the luxury Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon.

Increased Competition

For Toyota and Honda, the market leaders as well as for Ford and General Motors, whose own midsize offerings compete well, a Hyundai Sonata of any stripe is a threat.  The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord look most vulnerable to losing sales, cars that now trail the Sonata badly in a number of categories especially fuel economy.

The biggest winner in all of this may be the consumer who may find that the Sonata Turbo offers everything that they need in a car at an equipment level and price that they can afford.

Source: Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Sonata Disturbs D-Segment

Hyundai continues to challenge the market.

The medium size sedan market, or D-segment, is a crowded field. The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord are the two biggest sellers, but both Ford and Chevrolet have enjoyed success in recent years with their Fusion and Malibu models respectively.

Every automaker fields at least one midsize product, usually several when you add crossovers to the mix. Dominated by sedans with a sprinkling of coupes thrown in, the one body style lacking in this segment has been the station wagon.

Redesigned Sonata

But Hyundai is in the process of changing all of that with plans to introduce a wagon model in the next year or two. Hyundai is already enjoying success with its totally redesigned 2011 Sonata and will include a hybrid model before the wagon rolls out. Forget worrying about Ford or Chevy: Toyota and Honda may have a problem on their hands when Hyundai expands its Sonata line.

The Hyundai Sonata wagon will be sold in Europe and North America and it is in that former market where an Autoblog sleuth took pictures of a disguised Sonata prototype. Though Autoblog isn’t particularly certain the wagon will make it to the states, I’ve got a good source telling me that it will.

Hyundai Success

Don’t forget, the Toyota Venza and Honda Accord Crosstour are based on the Camry and Accord platforms respectively. Hyundai has made it known that they plan on putting up a challenge in every car segment out there. Following its success with the Genesis sedan and Genesis coupe, the Korean automaker will be bringing the big Equus to North America later this year. Yes, one or two pickup truck lines are next, so the disturbing Sonata wagon most certainly looks to be a good one.

Speaking about the Hyundai challenge to other automakers, the combined Hyundai Kia Automotive Group is now the fourth largest automaker in the world, having passed Ford in 2009.  It was just a decade ago that the combined entity was in 11th place, well off the pace of the top car manufacturers and not much of a force to consider.

My, how things have changed!