Hyundai Motor America, which is already planning to hit U.S. fuel economy requirements a year in advance, says it's aiming to hit at least 50 miles per gallon (mpg) for its passenger car and light truck fleet by 2025.

New U.S. regulations announced in May last year will require automakers to have a corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) of 35.5 mpg by 2016. In late 2008 Hyundai announced its intention to reach 35 mpg by 2015.

The company's 2008 model year vehicles made it the leader in fuel economy with a 30.9 mpg rating. Hyundai is projecting its 2009 model year fleet will have a fuel economy rating of 30.1 mpg.

Hyundai says that moving its fleet to 50 mpg or more will require improvements in powertrains, gasoline direct injection, turbocharging, electric hybrids, plug-in hybrids, lightweight materials and more.

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata already boasts a 35 mpg fuel economy on highways, and the latest model will be 130 pounds lighter due to design improvements and by only offering 4-cylinder engines.

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