10 September 2002: Hyundai is to compensate some 400,000 owners of its cars in the US after revelations that it had misstated the horsepower ratings on 1.3 million cars and trucks sold in North America over the last 10 years.

Hyundai discovered the miscalculations on engine power a few months ago after the Canadian government questioned the horsepower on the Elantra. The company had advertised the Elantra as having 140 horsepower, but after reevaluation Hyundai discovered the figure was actually 135.

Hyundai misstated the ratings because the actual horsepower figures changed between the time the vehicles were first tested and the time they went on sale.

Under the compensation plan, those with vehicles from the model year 1999 and earlier will be given for free five-year roadside assistance coverage.