Go to contents

Exaggerated automobile gas mileage

Posted December. 25, 2013 00:45,   

한국어

When the automobile was first invented in the 1800s, gasoline or liquefied petroleum gas were not the only sources of power. Various forms of fuel, including steam and alcohol from corn were tested and tried. A motor vehicle that used gasoline for the first time was invented by Karl Benz of Germany in 1886. He won patent with Motor Wagen that he created by taking off wheels from the horse-pulled wagon and installing a gasoline engine on it. Early automobiles had no roof or windshield, but fuel economy was not very low.

Motorists are highly wary of gas mileage. With gasoline price hovering at around 1,900 won per liter, commuting to work alone costs hundreds of dollars per month. Automakers are racing to conduct research to reduce the weight of their automobile models. However, there has been a significant gap between the fuel economy marked on the vehicle and the vehicle’s actual gas mileage a long time ago. With amounting consumer complaints, the Korean government has decided to use a more practical fuel economy labeling system that reflects driving conditions in both city and highway beginning this year.

Car owners who filed suit for exaggerated fuel economy in the U.S. will be paid 395 million dollars in compensation from Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors. They will be paid 370,000 won (350 U.S. dollars) to 700,000 won (660 dollars) per person. The vehicles subject to the compensation plan are 13 models including the Avante (Elantra), the Genesis, and the Tucson from Hyundai, and the Sorento, the Sportage and the Soul from Kia. U.S. consumers filed the suit, saying the label suggested those cars can drive up to 40 miles (64 kilometers) per gallon, but they can hardly reach that gas mileage in realty. The suit has been settled because Hyundai suggested settlement money before ruling.

In Korea, two people, including one identified by his last name Park, filed a suit only to lose recently. They claimed that the Avante’s gas mileage is suggested as 16.5 kilometers per liter, but it only amounts to 13 kilometers in reality. However, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that the advertisement was not exaggerated, saying, “Hyundai Motor informed in advance that gas mileage in actual driving can vary depending on road conditions and other factors.” On the same case, U.S. consumers are being compensated, while Korean consumers have no place to appeal to. In the U.S., the government (Environmental Protection Agency) and the court take the lead to protect consumers. We cannot stubbornly deny here, if they argue “You knew that gas mileage was something exaggerated in the first place, right?”