Two automakers on notice about fuel efficiency of vehicles

The U.S. Department of Justice and Environmental Protection Agency has announced a settlement with Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia over allegations the two violated the Clean Air Act.

A filed complaint alleges both companies inflated the fuel economy ratings in about 1.2 million vehicles. 

That resulted in greenhouse gas emission credits worth more than $200 million. 

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder outlined details of Monday's settlement, which includes:

• Hyundai and Kia will pay a civil penalty of $100 million dollars, which is the largest civil penalty ever secured under the Clean Air Act. 
• Both companies will forfeit the greenhouse gas credits both wrongly claimed based on inaccurate reporting.
• Hyundai and Kia will be required to implement rigorous new procedures, including training and enhanced audit testing of vehicles to prevent the violation from happening again.

The vehicles involved were the Hyundai Accent, Elantra, Veloster, and Santa Fe as well as the Kia Rio and Soul.