Hyundai Motor Company
Hyundai Motor Company
The Hyundai Motor Company (Hangul: 현대자동차 ; Hanja: 現代自動車 ; RR: Hyeondae Jadongcha listen ; Hangul: 현대 ; Hanja: 現代 ; MR: Hyŏndae , IPA: [hjə́ːndɛ] , [7] modernity; KRX: 005380) is a South Korean multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. The company was founded in one thousand nine hundred sixty seven and, along with its 32.8% possessed subsidiary, Kia Motors, and its 100% possessed luxury subsidiary Genesis Motors [8] which together comprise the Hyundai Motor Group. It is the third largest vehicle manufacturer in the world. [9]
- Hyundai Translead
Hyundai Motor of North America
Hyundai of Canada
Hyundai Motor of South America
Hyundai do Brasil
Hyundai operates the world’s largest integrated automobile manufacturing facility [Ten] in Ulsan, South Korea, which has an annual production capacity of 1.6 million units. The company employs about 75,000 people worldwide. Hyundai vehicles are sold in one hundred ninety three countries through some Five,000 dealerships and showrooms. [11]
Contents
Chung Ju-Yung founded the Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company in 1947. Hyundai Motor Company was later established in 1967. The company’s very first model, the Cortina, was released in cooperation with Ford Motor Company in 1968. [12] When Hyundai dreamed to develop their own car, they hired George Turnbull in February 1974, the former Managing Director of Austin Morris at British Leyland. He in turn hired five other top British car engineers. They were Kenneth Barnett assets design, engineers John Simpson and Edward Chapman, John Crosthwaite ex-BRM as chassis engineer and Peter Slater as chief development engineer. [13] [14] [15] [16] In 1975, the Pony, the very first Korean car, was released, with styling by Giorgio Giugiaro of ItalDesign and powertrain technology provided by Japan’s Mitsubishi Motors. Exports began in the following year to Ecuador and soon thereafter to the Benelux countries.
In 1984, Hyundai exported the Pony to Canada, but not to the United States, because the Pony didn’t pass emissions standards there. Canadian sales greatly exceeded expectations, and it was at one point the top-selling car on the Canadian market. In 1985, the one millionth Hyundai car was built. [17]
In 1986, Hyundai began to sell cars in the United States, and the Excel was nominated as “Best Product #Ten” by Fortune magazine, largely because of its affordability. The company began to produce models with its own technology in 1988, beginning with the midsize Sonata. In the spring of 1990, aggregate production of Hyundai automobiles reached the four million mark. [17] In 1991, the company succeeded in developing its very first proprietary gasoline engine, the four-cylinder Alpha, and also its own transmission, thus paving the way for technological independence.
In 1996, Hyundai Motor India Limited was established with a production plant in Irungattukottai near Chennai, India. [Legitimate]
In 1998, Hyundai began to overhaul its picture in an attempt to establish itself as a world-class brand. Chung Ju Yung transferred leadership of Hyundai Motor to his son, Chung Mong Koo, in 1999. [Nineteen] Hyundai’s parent company, Hyundai Motor Group, invested strenuously in the quality, design, manufacturing, and long-term research of its vehicles. It added a 10-year or 100,000-mile (160,000 km) warranty to cars sold in the United States and launched an aggressive marketing campaign.
In 2004, Hyundai was ranked 2nd in “initial quality” in a survey/explore by J.D. Power and Associates. [ citation needed ] [ clarification needed ] Hyundai is now one of the top one hundred most valuable brands worldwide. [ according to whom? ] Since 2002, Hyundai has also been one of the worldwide official sponsors of the FIFA World Cup.
In 2006, the South Korean government initiated an investigation of Chung Mong Koo’s practices as head of Hyundai, suspecting him of corruption. On twenty eight April 2006, Chung was arrested, and charged for embezzlement of one hundred billion South Korean won (US$106 million). [20] As a result, Hyundai Vice Chairman and CEO, Kim Dong-jin, substituted him as head of the company. On thirty September 2011, Yang Seung Suk announced his retirement as CEO of Hyundai Motor Co. In the interim replacement period, Chung Mong-koo and Kim Eok-jo will divide the duties of the CEO position. [21]
Research and development
Hyundai has six research and development centres, located in Korea (three offices), Germany, Japan and India. Additionally, a centre in California develops designs for the United States. [22]
Hyundai has made an app with augmented reality, demonstrating users how to operate and maintain vehicles. [23]
Business
In 1998, after a shake-up in the Korean auto industry caused by overambitious expansion and the Asian financial crisis, Hyundai acquired the majority of rival Kia Motors. Hyundai possesses 33.88% of Kia. [24]
In 2000, the company established a strategic alliance with DaimlerChrysler and severed its partnership with the Hyundai Group. In 2001, the Daimler-Hyundai Truck Corporation was formed. In 2004, however, DaimlerChrysler divested its interest in the company by selling its Ten.5% stake for $900 million.
Hyundai has invested in manufacturing plants in North America, India, the Czech Republic, Russia, China and Turkey as well as research and development centres in Europe, Asia, North America and the Pacific Rim. In 2004, Hyundai Motor Company had $57.Two billion in sales in South Korea making it the country’s 2nd largest corporation, or chaebol. Worldwide sales in two thousand five reached Two,533,695 units, an eleven percent increase over the previous year. In 2011, Hyundai sold Four.05 million cars worldwide and the Hyundai Motor Group was the world’s fourth largest automaker behind GM, Volkswagen and Toyota. [25] [26] Hyundai vehicles are sold in one hundred ninety three countries through some Five,000 dealerships.
In 2006, Hyundai hired Thomas Bürkle as head of the company’s design center in Russelsheim, Germany. Bürkle had previously worked for BMW, having designed the BMW three Series (E46), and the BMW six Series (E63). [27] [28] Hyundai’s current design philosophy is known as Fluidic Sculpture, [29] which is strenuously inspired by nature. [30]
North America
United States
Hyundai Motor America began selling cars in the United States on twenty February 1986, with a single model, the Hyundai Excel, which was suggested in a diversity of trims and figure styles. That year, Hyundai set a record of selling the most automobiles in its very first year of business in the United States compared to any other car brand; total sales in one thousand nine hundred eighty six were 168,882.
Originally well received, the Excel’s faults soon became apparent; cost-cutting measures caused reliability to suffer. With an increasingly poor reputation for quality, Hyundai sales plummeted, and many dealerships either earned their profits on repairs or abandoned the product. At one point, Hyundai became the butt of many jokes (i.e. Hyundai stands for “Hope you understand nothing’s driveable and inexpensive”) and even made David Letterman’s Top Ten Hilarious Mischief Night Pranks To Play In Space: No.8 – Paste a “Hyundai” logo on the main control panel. [32]
In response, Hyundai began investing intensely in the quality, design, manufacturing, and long-term research of its vehicles. It added a 10-year or 100,000-mile (160,000 km) powertrain warranty (known as the Hyundai Advantage) to its vehicles sold in the United States. By 2004, sales had dramatically enlargened, and the reputation of Hyundai cars improved. In 2004, Hyundai tied with Honda for initial brand quality in a survey/investigate from J.D. Power and Associates, for having one hundred two problems per one thousand vehicles. This made Hyundai 2nd in the industry, only behind Toyota, for initial vehicle quality. The company continued this tradition by placing third overall in J.D. Power’s two thousand six Initial Quality Survey, behind only Porsche and Lexus. [33] Hyundai is ranked number four in World’s Most Admired Companies under the motor vehicles section of CNN, after BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke), Volkswagen and Daimler in 2011.
Hyundai proceeds to invest strenuously in its American operations as its cars grow in popularity. In 1990, Hyundai established the Hyundai Design Center in Fountain Valley, California. The center moved to a fresh $30 million facility in Irvine, California in 2003, and was renamed the Hyundai Kia Motors Design and Technical Center. Besides the design studio, the facility also housed Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI, established in 1986), a subsidiary responsible for all engineering activities in the U.S. for Hyundai. Hyundai America Technical Center moved to its fresh 200,000-square-foot (Nineteen,000 m two ), $117 million headquarters in Superior Township, Michigan (near Ann Arbor) in 2005. Later that same year, HATCI announced that it would be expanding its technical operations in Michigan and hiring six hundred extra engineers and other technical employees over a period of five years. The center also has employees in California and Alabama.
Hyundai incorporated a fresh manufacturing facility, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, in April 2002. The fresh plant in Montgomery, Alabama was finished during 2004, at a cost of $1.7 billion. Production began in May 2005. It employed more than Three,000 workers in 2012. [34] Presently, the plant assembles the Hyundai Elantra, the Hyundai Sonata, and the Hyundai Theta engine. It is Hyundai’s 2nd attempt at producing cars in North America since Hyundai Auto Canada Inc.’s plant in Quebec closed in 1993.
Hyundai America Technical Center ended construction of its Hyundai/Kia proving ground in California City, California in 2004. The Four,300-acre (17 km two ) facility is located in the Mojave Desert and features a 6.4-mile (Ten.Three km) oval track, [Ten] a Vehicle Dynamics Area, a vehicle-handling course inwards the oval track, a paved hill road, and several special surface roads. A 30,000-square-foot (Two,800 m two ) sophisticated featuring offices and indoor testing areas is located on the premises as well. The facility was built at a cost of $50 million. An aerial view can be found here.
In 2003, Consumer Reports, based on complaints about two thousand two model fresh cars that in general are less than one year usage, ranked Hyundai’s reliability tied with Honda’s; however, J.D. Power and Associates put Hyundai’s two thousand two vehicles below the industry average according to its annual Initial Quality Survey, which looks at problems in the very first ninety days of ownership. [35]
In 2006, J.D. Power and Associates’ quality ranking, overall the Hyundai brand ranked 3rd, just behind Porsche and Lexus, and hammering longtime rival Toyota. [36] But Hyundai’s ranking fell to twelfth in 2007. [37] However, in 2009, Hyundai was the Highest Ranked Non-Premium Nameplate in the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Probe. [38]
In the two thousand seven Strategic Vision Total Quality Awards, Hyundai Motor leads the most vehicle segments in Strategic Vision’s Total Quality Index, measuring the ownership practice. They attempt to measure more than just the number of problems per vehicle. Hyundai tops in Strategic Vision Total Quality Awards. For the very first time ever, Hyundai has risen to share the position of having the most models leading a segment. three models with the top Total Quality Index (TQI) score in their segments, including the Hyundai Azera, Entourage, Santa Fe. [39] [40]
In two thousand seven at the Fresh York International Auto Display, Hyundai unveiled its V8 rear-drive luxury sedan called the Concept Genesis to be slotted above the Azera in the Hyundai line-up. This concept made its American debut in mid-2008. The Genesis reintroduced rear-wheel drive to the Hyundai range following a long period of only producing front-wheel drive cars. [41]
In two thousand seven at the Los Angeles International Auto Display, Hyundai unveiled its 2nd rear-drive concept car, the Concept Genesis Coupe, will be Hyundai’s very first sports car due to make its debut in early 2009. [42]
In 2008, Hyundai Santa Fe and Hyundai Elantra were awarded two thousand eight Consumer Reports “top picks”. The magazine’s annual ratings, based on road tests and predicted safety and reliability are considered very influential among consumers. [43] The Hyundai Elantra was Consumer Reports’ top-ranked two thousand eight vehicle among nineteen other compacts and puny family cars, hitting out the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Toyota Prius. [44]
In 2008, at the North American International Auto Display, the production version of the luxury & performance-oriented Hyundai Genesis sedan made its debut, dealerships will have the Genesis as soon as summer 2008. In 2008, at the Fresh York International Auto Display, Hyundai debuted its production version of the performance-oriented rear-drive Hyundai Genesis Coupe, slated to hit dealerships in early 2009.
On six January, Hyundai reported sales of December two thousand eight fell to 24,037, from 46,487 in previous year and sales for the year dropped 14%, a day after the company launched ‘Hyundai Assurance’ in order to spark sales amid raunchy economic conditions. [45]
In 2009, Hyundai announced the five-door hatchback variant of the Elantra compact sedan will carry the name Elantra Touring when it goes on sale in the spring as a two thousand nine model. [46]
In 2009, the Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan was named two thousand nine North American Car of the Year, the very first for Hyundai. [47] The Genesis has received a number of well-recognized automobile awards worldwide. It also won the two thousand nine Canadian Car of the Year after winning its category of Best Fresh Luxury Car under $50,000. [48] The Hyundai’s V8 Tau engine in the Genesis, which develops three hundred seventy five hp (280 kW) on premium fuel and three hundred sixty eight hp (274 kW) on regular fuel, received two thousand nine Ward’s ten Best Engines award. [49]
In 2009, four models from Hyundai and two from Kia, earned the Top Safety Award by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). [50]
In 2009, Hyundai/Kia vehicles were named as “least expensive vehicles to insure”. Hyundai/Kia vehicles were the least expensive to insure and occupied the ‘top five’ least expensive slots, said Insure.com. [51]
In 2009, according to a preliminary report from the Environmental Protection Agency published in November 2009, which is based on two thousand nine pre-model year production projections provided by automakers, [52] Hyundai, at an average of 23.Four mpg‑US (Ten.1 L/100 km; 28.1 mpg‑imp), is the 2nd most fuel-efficient automaker in America, after Honda’s combined U.S. fleet of Honda and Acura models at an average of 23.6 mpg‑US (Ten.0 L/100 km; 28.Trio mpg‑imp). [53]
In 2010, a Consumer Reports reliability survey ranked Hyundai (including Kia) as the fourth-best automaker. The ratings reflect the spectacle, convenience, utility and reliability of more than two hundred eighty vehicles that the magazine recently tested. [54]
In January 2012, the Hyundai Elantra was named the North American Car of the Year at the North American International Auto Demonstrate, selling more than 200,000 cars since the model’s redesigned debut. [55]
Canada
In 1989, Hyundai Auto Canada Inc. opened a stamping and assembly plant in Bromont, Quebec, employing 800. The plant cost $387.7 million, with Quebec and Canadian federal government subsidies of $131 million. [56] The plant was designed to manufacture approximately two thousand Hyundai Sonatas per week. [56] Subsequently, Chrysler and Hyundai considered a joint venture that would have Chrysler rebranding the Sonata manufactured at Bromont – only to later announce the deal had failed. [57] The Bromont plant was operational for four years before it closed – with Hyundai’s sales incapable to support the plant. With boost in sales in 2009, Hyundai Auto Canada Inc. is presently planning to build a fresh plant in Canada and resume production in Canada. [58] Hyundai subsequently sold the plant, [58] which was eventually purchased by Olymbec inc, a Quebec real estate developer. Hyundai is the No.1 import car brand in Canada without a local plant. Sales over 100,000 cars-per-year mark in 2012.
Mexico
Hyundai Motor México entered the Mexican market in two thousand fourteen with the Hyundai Grand i10, the Hyundai Elantra, and the Hyundai ix35. [59] Soon afterwards, the Hyundai Sonata joined the lineup. Prior to the introduction of the Hyundai brand for non-commercial vehicles, Hyundai passenger vehicles, light-duty cargo vans, and passenger vans were distributed by Chrysler de México, branded as Dodge.
Panama & Dominican Republic
Hyundai is No.1 sales car brand in Panama & Dominican Republic.
South America
Brazil
Hyundai has been a major presence in the Brazilian luxury car market for some time. [ clarification needed ] In October 2012, Hyundai launched a fresh petite bi-fuel car, the HB20, designed specifically for the Brazilian mass-market. This car, the very first product of the fresh “Projeto HB” (Hyundai Brazil), is built at a fresh Hyundai factory in Brazil, located in Piracicaba, São Paulo. [60] The HB20 is of very similar size to the Hyundai i20, launched in other parts of the world in 2008.
Hyundai vehicles have also been produced in Brazil at a plant located in Anápolis, Goiás. Production here commenced with the HR model in 2007, and continued with the Tucson in 2010, the HD78 truck in 2011, and the ix35 in 2013. [61]
China
Hyundai models sell well in China. [ citation needed ] Hyundai is presently working with its Chinese playmate Beijing Automobile Industry Holding Co. to develop an electrical car for sale only in China. [62] [63] In September 2011, it was announced that Korean celebrity Lee Min Ho, who is popular in China, will promote Hyundai’s fresh ‘Veloster’ in China. [64]
Hyundai and its sister company, Kia, are losing market share because of their over-reliance on sedans, poor brand pics and local Chinese automakers contest with price competitive SUVs. [65]
Beijing Hyundai
A joint venture with Beijing Automotive Group, [66] Beijing Hyundai Motor manufactures many Hyundai vehicles, [ citation needed ] as well as a few models which are special to the Chinese market. [67] This company sold 700,000 passenger cars in 2010. 855,995 car sales in 2012. [68] [Sixty nine] Beijing Hyundai has three assembly plants, each 300,000 unit annual capacity in NE Beijing outskirts. Beijing Hyundai produce most of the taxies in Beijing of the year 2013.
Hawtai partnership
Inbetween two thousand two [70] -2010, [71] Hawtai Motor made Chinese-market versions of the Hyundai Matrix, [72] the Hyundai Santa Fe [70] [73] and the Hyundai Terracan. [70] [73] The Santa Fe was the fifth most-purchased SUV in China in 2010, [74] and some of Hawtai’s versions may greatly differ from those sold in other markets. [75]
Commercial vehicles
In October 2010, Hyundai signed agreement with Sichuan Nanjun Automobile on setting up a commercial vehicle joint venture—Sichuan Hyundai Motor Co. Ltd. [63]
India
Hyundai Motor India Limited i [76] s presently the 2nd largest auto exporter from India. [77] It is making India the global manufacturing base for puny cars.
Hyundai sells several models in India, the most popular being the Santro Xing, i10, [78] Hyundai EON and the i20. On three September 2013, Hyundai launched its much-awaited car, Grand i10 [79] in petrol and diesel variants. Other models include the Getz, Accent, Elantra, 2nd generation Verna, Santa Fe and the Sonata Convert. Hyundai has two manufacturing plants in India located at Sriperumbudur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Both plants have a combined annual capacity of 600,000 units. In the year 2007, Hyundai opened its R&D facility in Hyderabad, employing now almost four hundred fifty engineers from different parts of the country. Hyundai Motor India Engineering (HMIE) gives technical & engineering support in vehicle development and CAD & CAE support to Hyundai’s main R&D centre in Namyang, Korea. In mid 2014, Hyundai launched Xcent, a sedan based on successful Grand i10. Recently, on eleven August 2014, Hyundai India Motor Limited launched the Elite i20 in petrol and diesel variants.
In 2007, Hyundai embarked its support engineering centre with CAD/CAE teams in Hyderabad, India. Hyundai expanded its engineering activities in India with Vehicle Engineering team in 2010. In 2011, Hyundai commenced its design activities at Hyderabad R&D Centre with Styling, Digital Design & Skin CAD Teams and Packaging team . Indian engineers are powerfully involved in making of Indian vehicles like Grand i10, Elite i20 along with other Global cars.
In June, 2017, The Competition Commission of India imposed ₹87 crore ($13.6 million) penalty for unfair business practices with respect to providing discounts for cars. [80]
Japan
Despite having growing sales worldwide, Hyundai struggled in Japan, having sold only 15,000 passenger cars from two thousand one to 2009. [81] Following an announcement on November 2009, Hyundai pulled their passenger car division out of the Japanese market and focused on their commercial vehicle division instead. [81] The company said that it is possible for them to come back to Japan fully if market conditions proceed to improve. [82] Presently the only Hyundai vehicle available in Japan is the Hyundai Universe bus.
Philippines
Hyundai is presently the third top selling automotive brand in the country. Hyundai’s Getz, i10, Accent, SantaFe, Sonata and Grand Starex were among the models which brought Hyundai to the third spot. Hyundai almost doubled its sales in two thousand ten with 11,086 in two thousand nine to 20,712.
Turkey
In September 1997, Hyundai opened a manufacturing plant in Turkey, located in İzmit, Kocaeli Province. The facility, named Hyundai Assan Otomotiv, was built as a 50-50% joint venture inbetween the Hyundai Motor Company and the Kibar Holding of Turkey, the very first stage investment raising to US$180 million. [83] It presently has an annual production capacity of 125,000 units and it manufactured the Accent, the H-100, the Starex, the Matrix and since 2010, the i20. [84] In May two thousand thirteen Hyundai Turkey Izmit plant capacity enlargened up to 200,000 units with four hundred seventy million Euro investment. The fresh i10 and i20 is planned to be produced here. [85]
Europe
Germany
Hyundai has been operating an R&D centre in Frankfurt, Germany since 1994, [86] that has been responsible for monitoring technology developments in Europe and designing and engineering fresh cars for the European market. [87] In September 2003, the company opened its fresh European headquarters in Rüsselsheim, after an investment worth fifty million euro. [88] The site became the fresh location for the R&D centre and for the world rally team of the company. [89]
Czech Republic
On November 2008, Hyundai opened its European plant in Nošovice, Czech Republic, following an investment of over one billion euros and over two years of construction. [90] [91] The plant, which mainly manufactures the i30, ix20, ix35 for the European market, has an annual capacity of 300,000 cars. [92] The fresh Hyundai plant is ninety kilometres north of Kia Motors’ Žilina Plant in Slovakia.
Russia
In Russia, the production of the Hyundai Accent, Sonata, Elantra and Santa Fe models has been taking place at the TagAZ plant, [93] located in Taganrog, since 2001, [94] in the form of accomplish knock-down kits assembly. [95] Since 2006, the factory has also been assembling the Hyundai Porter, [93] County, Aero Town and the HD five hundred commercial vehicles. [94]
In June 2008, Hyundai embarked the construction of a fresh manufacturing plant in Saint Petersburg with a planned yearly capacity of 100,000 cars, [96] that will eventually be enlargened to 200,000 units. [97] It began mass production in January 2011, [97] with two models: the Hyundai Solaris and the Kia Rio. [98]
Africa
Southern Africa
In Botswana, the assembly of Hyundai Accent, Sonata, and Elantra models was undertaken by the Motor Company of Botswana at their Gaborone plant, since February 1993, in the form of accomplish knock-down kits. Almost all of the finished vehicles were exported across Botswana’s border to South Africa, where the vast majority of dealerships are situated.
Egypt
Hyundai cars are also manufactured in Egypt, the local manufacturer is the Ghabbour Group, which is located in Cairo. They have a big model range and offers sports models of some car models which are only suggested on the Egypt market. Formerly, the company had assembled vehicles such as the Verna.
Libya
Hyundai is placed at no.1 for car sales in Libya in 2012.
Oceania
Australia
Hyundai sales increases sharply ranking No. Four position in Australia in 2012. No.Two sales maker without local plant.
Fresh Zealand
A growing market for Hyundai’s cars, sales in Fresh Zealand were up 27% in late 2011, compared to two thousand ten sales. [99]
Hyundai Motor Company began developing FFVs in 1988. The test vehicle was one thousand nine hundred ninety one MY Scoupe FFV. [100] Since March, 1992, in Seoul, Korea, through at least November 1993, field trials of several FFVs had been performed over more than 30,000 miles. [100]
The very first unspoiled electrical car developed by Hyundai was the Sonata Electrified Vehicle in 1991. The car began as a Sonata sedan based model. [101] Hyundai later produced electrified vehicles utilizing the Excel, Grace, Accent, Atos and Kia Sportage platforms.
Hyundai planned to have six electrical vehicles available for testing by the end of 1992. The company was using batteries from Ovonic Battery Company Inc. in Troy, MI. [102] The Excel and the Sonata were the two different models on which the electrical vehicles were based. The vehicles were scheduled to likely be tested in the United States and in Korea. [ needs update ]
The fresh hybrid-electric FGV-1 was unveiled at the Seoul Motor Demonstrate in 1995. The car featured full-time electrical drive technology. [103] The one thousand nine hundred ninety five Hyundai FGV-1 was the result of Hyundai’s very first experiments with hybrid propulsion systems in 1994.
Hyundai produced its 2nd generation hybrid-electric vehicle in 1999. The company is using the “parallel” type design, which utilizes either the ICE or the electrified motor. [103] The FGV-2 was the 2nd vehicle to be produced. Others are the Elantra HEV and the Hyundai Accent HEV, which were unveiled in one thousand nine hundred ninety nine and 2000, respectively. [103]
The fresh hybrid electrical Sonata made its debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Demonstrate in November 2008. The car featured lithium polymer battery technology. [104] The two thousand eleven Hyundai Sonata Hybrid sales in the U.S. began near the end of February 2011.
Hyundai began producing hybrid electrified vehicles in 2009. The company is using Hybrid Blue Drive, which includes lithium polymer batteries, as opposed to lithium-ion. [105] [106] [107] The Avante was the very first vehicle to be produced. Other are the Santa Fe Hybrid, the Elantra, Sonata Hybrid [108] and the Hyundai i20, which will substitute the Hyundai Getz.
Hyundai Elantra LPI Hybrid [109] (or Avante in the local market) was launched in the South Korean domestic market in July 2009. The Elantra LPI (Liquefied Petroleum Injected) is the world’s very first hybrid electrical vehicle to be powered by an internal combustion engine built to run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as a fuel. The Elantra PLI is a mild hybrid and the very first hybrid to adopt advanced lithium polymer (Li–Poly) batteries. [110] [111]
The Hyundai Blue Will plug-in hybrid has made its U.S. debut at the North American International Auto Display in Detroit 2010. [112] [113] [ needs update ]
At the two thousand ten Geneva Motor Display, Hyundai unveiled the i-flow, a concept car using a variant of the BLUE-WILL hybrid system. The i-flow Concept uses a 1.7-liter twin-turbo diesel engine along with electrical batteries to achieve fuel economy of three litres per one hundred kilometres (94 mpg‑imp; seventy eight mpg‑US). Hyundai says a production car based on the i-flow’s design will be in production by 2011. [114]
The Hyundai BlueOn is a subcompact 5-door hatchback electrical car produced by Hyundai Motor Company. The prototype, an electrified version of i10, was very first unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Demonstrate in 2009. The pre-production testing model was unveiled in Seoul in September 2010, when the very first of thirty units were delivered to South Korean government agencies for field testing. The carmaker plans to build Two,500 units by the end of 2012. The BlueOn is tooled with a LG 16.Four kWh lithium polymer (Li–Poly) battery pack and charges in six hours with a two hundred twenty V power outlet and in twenty five minutes to 80% with three-phase electrified power (in a three hundred eighty V outlet). The maximum speed is one hundred thirty km/h (81 mph) and 0–100 km/h is achieved in 13.1 seconds. According to Hyundai Motor Company, the total investment to developed the BlueOn, its very first production electrical car, was around forty billion won ( US$34.Three million ). [115] [116]
As of March two thousand fourteen [update] , cumulative global sales totaled two hundred thousand hybrids, including both Hyundai Motors and Kia Motors hybrid models. [117]
On twenty three April 2008, Hyundai Motor announced the beginning of a five-year project to turn fifty km² of infertile land into grassland by 2012. Hyundai is doing so with the help of the Korean Federation for Environmental Movement (KFEM). The project, named Hyundai Green Zone, is located six hundred sixty km north of Beijing. The purpose of the project is to end the recurring dust storms in Beijing, block desertification and protect the local ecosystem. Local weeds will be planted in the region that have the capability to suffer sterile alkaline soil. This is the very first environmental project of the company’s social contribution programme. Hyundai also made electrical car concept i10 recently. [118] [119]
Hyundai Motor plans to aid Chevron Corporation in the construction of up to six hydrogen fueling stations that will be located in California, including locations at the University of California-Davis and the Hyundai America Technical Center in Chino. Hyundai is going to provide a collection of thirty two Tucson fuel cell vehicles, which are powered by UTC Fuel Cell power plants. [120]
Hyundai entered motorsport by contesting in the F2 class of the World Rally Championship in one thousand nine hundred ninety eight and 1999. In September 1999, Hyundai unveiled the Accent WRC, a World Rally Car based on the Hyundai Accent. The Hyundai World Rally Team debuted the car at the two thousand Swedish Rally and achieved their very first top-ten result at that year’s Rally Argentina, when Alister McRae and Kenneth Eriksson finished seventh and eighth, respectively. Eriksson later drove the car to fifth place in Fresh Zealand and fourth in Australia. In 2001, Hyundai debuted a fresh evolution of the Accent WRC, which was intended to improve reliability, but the spectacle of the car was still not good enough to challenge the four big teams (Ford, Mitsubishi, Peugeot and Subaru). However, at the season-ending Rally GB, the team achieved their best result with McRae completing fourth and Eriksson sixth.
For the two thousand two season, Hyundai hired the four-time world champ Juha Kankkunen, along with Freddy Loix and Armin Schwarz. Kankkunen’s fifth place in Fresh Zealand was the team’s best result, but they managed to edge out Škoda and Mitsubishi by one point in the battle for fourth place in the manufacturers’ world championship. In September 2003, after a season hampered by budget constraints, Hyundai announced withdrawal from the WRC and planned to come back in 2006, which did not happen. [121]
In 2006, following the announcement that Korea was scheduled to earn a Formula One Grand Prix, Hyundai planned to inject the sport. [122] The Korean Grand Prix was very first held in 2010, but Hyundai have not entered the championship. Hyundai announced they would be exposing their future rally plans at the two thousand eleven Chicago Auto Display, on February 9. [123] The current plans for rallying are focused around the newest Hyundai release, the Veloster. [124] In September two thousand twelve Hyundai announced that they were due to commence the WRC with a rally model of its i20 to rival the likes of the Ford Fiesta, the Citroen DS3 and the Mini Countryman.
Hyundai i20 WRC
The Hyundai i20 WRC is a World Rally Car built by Hyundai for use in the two thousand fourteen World Rally Championship. [125] It is based on the Hyundai i20 subcompact car, and was unveiled at the two thousand twelve Paris Motor Demonstrate. The launch of the i20 marks Hyundai’s comeback to the World Rally Championship after a ten-year absence. [126] The car is scheduled to make its very first competitive appearance at the two thousand fourteen Rallye Monte Carlo, but may challenge during the two thousand thirteen season to aid development. [127]
The car will be operated by Hyundai’s spectacle division, Hyundai Motorsport from a base in Frankfurt, Germany. [128]
