Hyundai-Kia unseats Honda, takes green automaker title
by The Associated Press
Honda didn't win for first time since Union of Concerned Scientists began rankings in 1998
DETROIT—A scientists’ group says Hyundai Motor Group has unseated Honda as the greenest automaker in the United States.
The Union of Concerned Scientists ranks the eight top-selling automakers based on carbon and smog-forming emissions of their fleets.
The group says all eight automakers reduced pollution for the first time.
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. didn’t win for the first time since the scientists began doing the rankings in 1998.
Hyundai Motor Group, made up of Kia Motors Corp. and Hyundai Motor Co., beat Honda by equipping many models with smaller turbocharged engines.
The scientists also say Hyundai-Kia introduced gas-electric hybrid versions of its two top-selling models, the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima.
Toyota Motor Corp., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Volkswagen AG tied for third place.
Detroit automakers, which sell more trucks, finished at the bottom.
Ford Motor Co. was the highest-ranked Detroit company.
