More automakers are recognizing that they don't need the cigarette lighter feature anymore. And like the cassette player, it is finding its fate completely disappearing from the automotive industry.
Hyundai has decided that the cigarette lighter has to go in order to free up space for USB ports, according to a report from the Financial Times. The decision has only been implemented in South Korea, where all new Hyundai cars built from October 1 no longer have cigarette lighters. Instead of this smoker’s accessory, the carmaker has mounted an USB port.
This is the first explicit ban of the cigarette lighter by any global carmaker and it may expand to Hyundai’s cars built for overseas markets as well.