At a time when most automakers are going all-in on hybrid technology, Hyundai is taking a different approach. Rather than focus solely on hybrids as a way to improve fuel economy, Hyundai says it will remain “technology agnostic.”
Hyundai recently entered the hybrid market with gas-electric versions of its Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima, but the Korean automaker isn’t convinced that hybrid technology is the best way to achieve upcoming fuel economy regulations. Instead, Hyundai believes the internal combustion engine has some legs yet.
“If we can find a way to deliver outstanding real-world fuel economy and EPA estimates without the expense of hybrid technology, that’s better,” Hyundai CEO John Krafcik told WardsAuto.
Hyundai has so far been able to achieve outstanding fuel economy figures without the help of hybrids. The automaker announced at the 2012 Detroit auto show that it is already exceeding 2015 CAFE standards.
The automaker is also working on a new 10-speed transmission.
Hybrid regulations out of touch
Federal regulators and the state of California have been pushing for more electric and hybrid-powered vehicles, but Krafcik is concerned those rules are out of touch with reality.
“The scary thing is some of the regulations are going to drive the proliferation of hybrids and electric vehicles going forward,” he said. “And those cars could overwhelm the number of customers who demand them.”
Sales figures seem to support Krafcik’s concerns. Hyundai only managed 10,368 sales of its Sonata Hybrid last year, and hybrid vehicle sales made up just 2.1 percent of the overall market last year. In contrast, California is pushing a new rule that would require 15.4 percent of all new car sales in the state to be electric, fuel-cell or plug-in hybrid vehicles by 2025.
