Senator Rockefeller Asks Hyundai America CEO For Answers About MPG Sticker Scandal

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United States Senator and Commerce Committee Chairman John D. Rockefeller has written the president and chief executive of Hyundai Motors America to answer questions about the company's false "Mile Per Gallon" window sticker claims that were exposed by an Environmental Protection Agency audit, noted Consumer Watchdog today.

Senator Rockefeller wrote Hyundai: "I will monitor the results of the EPA's ongoing investigation to better understand how this error occurred, how Hyundai and Kia may have used inflated fuel economy numbers to attract consumers, and how federal enforcement agencies can better deter similar violations in the future."

Senator Rockefeller also questioned whether the company's rebate program would adequately compensate consumers, and called upon Hyundai to answer questions by December 14th.

Two weeks ago, Consumer Watchdog called upon the chairs of the US Senate and House commerce committees to investigate the MPG sticker scandal, which was the first time a carmaker has ever been forced to change the MPG sticker claims on a large number of vehicles. The consumer group first called on the EPA to investigate the Hyundai Elantra fuel economy claims one year ago. 

Carmakers, unbeknownst to most Americans, self-test their vehicles to arrive at the EPA "MPG" claims on the window stickers of cars.

"Hyundai drivers and American taxpayers are now closer to getting answers about the largest MPG sticker scandal in American history," said Consumer Watchdog president Jamie Court. "This is good news for the public and for truth in advertising. The eyes of the Senate join the courts and the EPA in making certain that Hyundai will be fully transparent about what led to the falsification of these window stickers and give the American public the answers it deserves."

Read Senator Rockefeller's letter at www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/hyundairockefeller.pdf

Read Consumer Watchdog's letter calling for a Congressional investigation at http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ltrhyundai11-19-12_0.pdf

The full history of the case is at http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/case/hyundai-false-advertising-miles-gallon-mpg

Consumer Watchdog has offices in Washington, DC and Santa Monica, CA. Find us online at www.ConsumerWatchdog.org 

SOURCE Consumer Watchdog