Hyundai, Kia Ponder Diesels for U.S. Market

Hyundai Motor Co. and its Kia Motors Corp. affiliate are revisiting a plan to offer diesel powertrain options in the American market.

John Juriga, powertrain director for the Hyundai America Technical Center in Superior Township, Mich., tells WardsAuto the companies shelved plans four years ago to introduce diesels in the U.S. because of tightening emission standards, relatively high fuel prices and the cost premium for the engine itself.

Now, Juriga says, those issues are better understood and the path to implementation is clearer. He also notes that meeting U.S. fuel economy targets in the 2017-2025 model years will all but require the help of diesels and other technologies, regardless of their cost.

Current corporate average fuel economy standards dictate that carmakers achieve fleet average fuel economy of 35.5 mpg in 2016 and 54.5 mpg by 2025. Last year Hyundai's fleet averaged 29.0 mpg in real-world conditions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Hyundai-Kia will employ a wide range of technologies to reach EPA's goals, including 9- and 10-speed transmissions, cylinder deactivation, hybrids, all-electric powertrains and other systems, Juriga tells WardsAuto.

He adds that the key for Hyundai-Kia diesels in the America market is pairing the technology with the right models. He didn't say which of the companies' vehicles would meet that criterion.