U.S. car maker are not making the connection between the environment and sales. What car maker is the greenest of all? Hyundai-Kia is the greenest automaker according to the latest study from the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Strong federal and state emissions standards have hep to make the average new car 43 percent cleaner since 1998.
The average new vehicle is emitting around 20 percent less global warming pollution and nearly 87 percent less smog-forming tailpipe emissions.
Hyundai-Kia made a concerted effort to improve the fuel efficiency and reduce the tailpipe emissions of its fleet, and as a result emits around 15 percent less global warming pollution—and 13 percent less smog-forming pollution—than the national average.
Honda lost ground due its mid-sized Honda Accord.
Vehicles sold by Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler produce significantly more pollution than the national average. Ford is improving the fastest by selling more hybrids and by using turbochargers to power smaller, more efficient engines (without reducing performance).
Chrysler wasthe least improved automaker over the past decade and earned the “dirtiest tailpipe” award.