Fuel Alternatives an Award Winner for Hyundai

17 March 2006
Immediate Release

Fuel Alternatives an Award Winner for Hyundai

After receiving the Environmental Award at the 2006 AA Motoring Excellence Awards in New Zealand for efforts in bio-fuel advances, Hyundai has also taken honours in the USA for being among the most environmentally friendly automobiles available.

This week several Hyundai models were selected for the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy list of the most environmentally friendly vehicles available.

For the last nine years the council has scored cars and trucks on their level of environmental friendliness. The Hyundai Accent ranked sixth among all makes and models for being one of the “Greenest Vehicles of 2006,” ranking with other well known “green” cars as the Toyota Prius, the Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Corolla.

The Hyundai Elantra also received a superior ranking in the mid-size car category while the Sonata topped the large car segment.

Managing Director of Hyundai Automotive NZ, Philip Eustace, said the awards in the United States reinforce the recognition the brand is receiving Down Under for being ahead of the pack in taking a stand on environmental issues.

“We have undertaken a very active role to raise the profile of bio-fuels being a real option here in New Zealand, and it has been very satisfying to have that commitment recognised,” said Mr Eustace.

All Hyundai vehicles on sale in New Zealand now accept up to 10 percent alternative fuels in their mix. Our petrol cars will take 10 percent ethanol, and our diesel cars will take 10 percent bio diesel. Most of the company’s media test vehicles run on E10, a 10 percent ethanol mix.

The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy is independent and non-profit, aimed at advancing energy efficiency, while also maintaining economic prosperity.

Vehicles are analysed on a “Green Score” that includes measuring unhealthy emissions, fuel consumption and gas emissions that cause global warming.

“The environmental recognition tops off what is an extremely technologically advanced, safe and importantly, affordable motoring package offering variants to suit everyone’s tastes and pocket,” said Mr Eustace.

He said Hyundai New Zealand would continue to work with the government and industry to maintain the profile of alternative fuels.

“Here in New Zealand we are in a unique position to develop our own alternative fuels industry, given our ability to grow crops such as maize and produce whey by-products that provide a primary input to ethanol production.”

ENDS

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