Hyundai: Simple Improvements First

While the Toyota hybrid juggernaut marches on, and European automakers continue to lean on diesel to boost fuel economy, Hyundai is taking the simple low-cost route. Timothy White, senior manager of the powertrain department at Hyundai-Kia America’s Technical Center outside Ann Arbor, Mich., told Automotive News that it would meet new stricter fuel economy standards with incremental improvements. White said that improving powertrain efficiency and reducing weight would do the job for Hyundai. “There is really no home run out there,” he said.