COLUMBUS – Ohio will receive more than $1.47 million as part of a $41.2 million multistate settlement with Hyundai and Kia to resolve claims that the automakers misrepresented the mileage and fuel economy ratings for three model years at a time when motorists were paying record high prices for gasoline.
The settlement, reached between the attorneys general of 33 states and the District of Columbia and the Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai Motor America, Kia Motors Corporation, and Kia Motors America, was the culmination of a multistate investigation, according to a release from the office of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine.
Hyundai and Kia announced in 2012 they were adjusting and restating the fuel economy ratings for certain model year 2011, 2012, and 2013 vehicles after it was revealed that the companies had overstated the fuel efficiency of certain vehicles.
The automakers also implemented a consumer restitution program which is separate from this settlement.
The states claimed that the companies used the inflated data into estimated mileage ratings displayed on window stickers of hundreds of thousands of cars and erroneous mileage estimates were touted prominently in advertisements and promotional campaigns.
The states said these actions were likely to mislead consumers and influence their decisions to purchase particular vehicles during a time of high gasoline prices.
The average price of gasoline in May 2011 hit its al-time record price of $4.18 a gallon.