A year after promising to become the leading automotive manufacturer in fuel economy, Hyundai has finally passed all major automakers as the most fuel-efficient brand in the U.S.

The EPA's report "demonstrates the effectiveness of Hyundai's value-driven fuel-efficiency strategy, which focuses on the intelligent application of cost-effective technologies. The report also substantiates Hyundai's leadership in the race to achieve the government-mandated 2016 CAFE standard of 35.5 miles per gallon."

In the EPA's 2009 Light-Duty Automotive Technology and Fuel Economy Trends Report they show that Hyundai has the highest MY 2009 laboratory 55/45 fuel economy with 30.1 miles per gallon. Hyundai is also the only automaker to top 30 mpg in the report.

This comes as no surprise given their fuel efficient lineup of vehicles, especially because of their focus on using smaller engines.

"Our thoughtful application of cost-effective, fuel-efficient technologies has helped us achieve our goal of leading the industry in fuel economy ahead of schedule," said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. "Now we hope to extend that leadership with the launch of our new direct injection, turbocharging and lithium-polymer hybrid technologies, all of which will be a part of the 2011 Sonata lineup launching early next year."

 

Honda took second place with 29.7 mpg, and Volkswagen third with 29.6 mpg.

 

Source: Hyundai