(July 7, 2011) COSTA MESA, Calif. (PRNewswire) — There was reason to celebrate at Hyundai over the Fourth of July weekend — it sold its 100,000th vehicle achieving 40 miles per gallon highway fuel economy.

Through the first six months, 29 percent of Hyundai's sales volume topped 40 mpg highway fuel economy — a number that rocketed to 40 percent in June.

Hyundai's "4 x 40" strategy includes four models that reach 40 mpg standard this year including the hot-selling Elantra, Sonata Hybrid and all-new 2012 Accent which just started to hit dealerships in June. The fourth model — Hyundai's youthful Veloster — should add a new spark to the fleet this fall.

"Hyundai aims to be the fuel economy leader and our '4 x 40' strategy is accelerating our overall fuel economy improvement, which now tops 35 mpg across the entire lineup," said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America.

2011 Hyundai Elantra

"But we really see 40 mpg as a starting point. We committed to at least 50 mpg corporate average fuel economy by 2025 and remain the only automaker to set our sights so high. Using a mix of technologies to improve the efficiency of our standard, internal combustion engine vehicles, combined with the smart application of hybrid technology, we believe we are on the right path."

Elantra ignited Hyundai's "4 x 40" strategy at launch in December 2010. The American-made sedan continues to set a torrid sales pace, 79 percent ahead of last year. Sonata Hybrid and Accent added reinforcements to the 40 mpg strategy, and both are just starting to reach dealerships in volume.

With Veloster still to come, Hyundai is positioned to grow its 40 mpg sales volume through the end of the year.