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Hyundai to ditch cigarette lighters

Hyundai said future models won't be equipped cigarette lighter sockets as it believes its customers would prefer USB ports. The automaker said that its ashtrays would remain and that smokers could purchase a USB-powered cigarette lighter.

SEOUL, South Korea - Hyundai said it would stop installing cigarette lighter in its vehicles in favour of a USB power point. The South Korean auto giant said its decision would affect all passenger cars and SUVs sold in its homeland as of October 2013.

A company spokesman said the automaker was "the first auto company in the world" to make the change.

GLOBAL CHANGE?

He said the automaker would survey consumers in other countries to see whether the change should be adopted elsewhere. Hyundai's decision followed a domestic survey that showed many drivers used the lighter jack to charge mobile phones or tablet computers rather than for lighting cigarettes.

Car lighters are no longer offered as standard in the USA and Europe, with the socket often treated instead as a general purpose auxiliary power source.

Hyundai said its in-car ashtrays would remain the same and smokers could buy a USB-powered cigarette lighter.

What do you use your car lighter socket for - to light up a cigarette or charge your phone? Would you prefer a USB port instead? Email us and we'll publish your thoughts or use the Readers' Comments section below...
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