Hyundai Motor admitted on Monday the fuel economy of its updated Sonata sedan was less than it had previously stated, an error that could further undermine the South Korean automaker’s reputation after a number of fuel economy-related lawsuits.
Unveiling the redesigned model to media earlier this month, Hyundai told Reuters the sedan’s fuel economy had climbed 6% to 12.6km/litre (29.6mpg) compared to its its predecessor.
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Hyundai, however, said today that figure was erroneous and had been based on tests at its research centre. Government tests showed the mileage had actually inched up just 2% to 12.1km/litre (28.5 mpg).
“We are very sorry for causing confusion to reporters,” Hyundai said in a statement cited by Reuters.
Analysts reportedly said the impact of the error was likely to be short-lived as Hyundai had announced the cut before the new Sonata went on sale. The company said pre-orders of the model had topped 10,000 vehicles in four days in South Korea, the second-highest number on record.
“This may have a short-term impact on its reputation. But for the longer term, it is better for Hyundai to take quick action before controversy erupts,” Cho Chul, a senior researcher at the government-run Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade, told the news agency.
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By GlobalDataHyundai, and affiliate Kia Motors have been hit by a string of recalls and customer lawsuits claiming they overstated the fuel economies of their vehicles in South Korea, the United States and Canada.
South Korean courts dismissed some claims but government authorities were investigating others. Hyundai and Kia settled lawsuits in North America for a total of US$395m after admitting in 2012 they overstated mileage on more than 1m vehicles there, Reuters said. Last January, it was reported Hyundai Motor reached a settlement valued at CDN$46.65m in a class action lawsuit involving the fuel economy ratings of some of its vehicles in Canada.
The latest versions of Hyundai’s Genesis as well as Kia’s Soul compact are all heavier than their predecessors which makes them less fuel efficient, the automakers said.
Hyundai is banking on the first restyling of the Sonata since 2009 to help reverse slowing revenue growth as it suffers falling market share at home and in the United States, its second biggest market after China.
It builds the model for the US at its plant in Alabama.
The Sonata is Hyundai’s second top seller after the Elantra model in the US.
Hyundai is expected to launch the new Sonata on 24 March in Korea followed by the US and other markets.
