Hyundai Motor Group on Thursday downplayed news reports that the Korean auto giant had discriminated against local consumers by providing zinc coatings only to vehicles sold for overseas markets.

Hyundai, which owns Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors, said that it has adopted the protective coating on more than 70 percent of cars sold here since late 2006, a similar level as that of the U.S. and Europe.

“We have applied the zinc coatings to more than 70 percent of medium-sized cars such as Sonata and bigger ones since late 2006. Since last year, the coating has been applied to more than 70 percent of all vehicles,” the company said in a statement.

A protective zinc coating prevents steel from rusting when exposed to calcium chloride, which is usually sprayed on streets after snowing.

Even though cars in Korea are not required to have the zinc coating due to less frequent snowfall here, the company explained, it has adopted the protective measure to better serve Korean consumers.

According to the National Association Corrosion Engineers, Korea, along with countries like China and eastern Australia, is categorized as irrelevant to corrosion prevention, while the U.S. and Europe are cited as seriously vulnerable to corrosion.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)