Hyundai’s hydrogen success continues as Aberdeen City Council & Co-wheels club add 4 ix35 to their fleets.

• Aberdeen City Council is the latest to go green with Hyundai Motor, taking on four ix35 hydrogen Fuel Cell vehicles and making them available for pay-as-you-go public use through car club Co-wheels and available for Aberdeen businesses to trial
• The announcement brings the total number of Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles on UK roads to 15 and more than 250 in Europe
• Two distance records have also recently been broken in the Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell as part of the UK’s Hydrogen Week - the longest journey in the UK on a single tank of hydrogen, travelling 406 miles, and the longest continuous journey for a fuel cell vehicle by travelling 6,096 miles over the course of six days

Hyundai Motor’s hydrogen success continues as Aberdeen City Council and Co-wheels car club add four ix35 Fuel Cells to their fleet of models.  The cars will be made available to the public through the car club on a pay-as-you-go basis and to Aberdeen businesses for trial.

This order takes the nationwide total of Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles to 15 with more than 250 across Europe.  Those vehicles in the UK are already in use by Johnson Matthey, TfL, Air Products, ITM Power and Anglo American.

Hyundai Motor UK CEO, Tony Whitehorn said: “As more and more cities throughout the UK begin to improve their hydrogen facilities, we’re seeing greater demand for our ix35 Fuel Cell. It’s fantastic to be a part of Aberdeen’s hydrogen development in this way, especially because the cars are going to be used on a day-to-day basis by members of the public. We want them to experience all the reasons why we think hydrogen is the way forward in terms of usability, refinement and ultra-clean motoring.”

Aberdeen City Councillor Barney Crockett, who also chairs the European hydrogen association HyER, added: “Aberdeen is developing a reputation as a ‘can-do’ hydrogen city. With these cars, we are taking things to the next level, moving ever closer to becoming a world-leading renewables city and securing a hydrogen economy in Aberdeen, presenting tangible opportunities to the energy industry.”

In addition, as part of the UK’s Hydrogen Week (March 14-18, 2016), the government-backed London Hydrogen Network Expansion project (LHNE) – of which Hyundai Motor is a partner - broke two new distance records for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles driving in the ix35 Fuel Cell.

The first record was for the longest journey in the UK on a single tank of hydrogen - travelling 406 miles - and the second was for the longest continuous journey made in a fuel cell vehicle by travelling 6,096 miles over 50 laps of the M25 in six days.

The ix35 Fuel Cell is the first hydrogen car to go on sale to the public in the UK - it has a range of 326 miles but emits only water and has a refueling time to match a combustion-engined car.

LHNE, co-funded by Innovate UK, was set up in 2012 to create the UK’s first hydrogen-powered transport system across London and the South East. It has delivered a new publicly-accessible, state-of-the-art fast-fill Air Products SmartFuel® hydrogen refuelling station and upgraded a second to the requisite 700 bar pressure status.

The LHNE partners are now keen for the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell technology to accelerate in the UK but one of the main challenges is the limited coverage of refuelling stations to support the vehicles. There are currently six stations in the UK, including the two public Air Products SmartFuel® stations in London and funding is in place for at least 12 to be operational in England and Scotland within the next 12 months.

UK SALES YEAR END - Hyundai, with its youngest range, increases sales by 7.5% last year.

• Total vehicle sales increase 7.5 percent year-on-year
• Retail registrations grow to 41,164 units, fleet to 46,953 units
• Affirms Hyundai’s position as one of the UK’s top 10 car manufacturers

Hyundai Motor UK today announced that in 2015 it sold 88,257 vehicles, a year-on-year rise of 7.5 percent and the highest total in Hyundai’s 33 years of vehicle sales in the UK and in 10 years as a wholly-owned subsidiary.  2015 also saw Hyundai Motor reach the milestone of one million vehicles sold in the UK.

Underpinning this outstanding result was strong growth across both the retail and fleet markets, attributed to a growing demand for the company’s expanding range of vehicles, many of which were all-new or refreshed in 2015. Hyundai’s retail sales grew by 4.0 percent, while fleet sales grew 10.7 percent.

Hyundai Motor UK’s 7.5 percent year-on-year growth in 2015 outpaced the wider UK new car market (up 6.3 percent), underlining the strength of the Korean brand’s youngest-ever model line-up and its expanding UK dealer network. The company’s evolving brand proposition has also attracted interest from more current and potential customers, helping to drive a record 8.5 million visits to its website last year.

Accounting for almost a quarter of Hyundai’s total sales, the marque’s most popular model of 2015 was the i10 city car, which offers an award-winning and compelling package of design, space, technology, efficiency and safety. The New i30 hatchback attracted a surge in full-year sales of 38.1 percent, finishing 2015 as the company’s most popular model with fleet customers. The All-New Tucson quickly became Hyundai’s fastest-selling car following its launch in early September, aided by its combination of striking design and outstanding space, comfort and safety. Sales of Hyundai’s luxury saloon, Genesis, also continued to grow in its first full year of sales.

Tony Whitehorn, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor UK, commented: “2015 was a very significant year for Hyundai Motor UK, with both retail and fleet areas performing very strongly. This performance demonstrates the broad appeal of Hyundai’s youngest-ever model line-up, and provides the basis for sustainable growth into 2016. To be able to deliver a record registrations total as well as reaching the milestone of one million vehicles in our tenth year as a UK subsidiary is something the whole team can be very proud of.”

In 2015, Hyundai Motor UK launched the New Generation i20, the New i30, the New i40 Tourer and the All-New Tucson. For 2016, Hyundai will continue to strengthen the line-up, including models from the exciting high performance N sub-brand.

WHAT CAR AWARDS - Hyundai takes a two awards, the i10 retains best City car and the ix35, the Technology Award

• New Generation Hyundai i10 wins ‘Best City Car’ for third consecutive year
• Best buy between £10,000-11,000 for 1.2-litre SE model
• “Easier to live with and better to drive” than its competitors
• Technology Award winner (in association with Stuff) for the Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell

New Generation Hyundai i10 has retained its position at the top of its class after being named What Car? ‘Best City Car’ for the third consecutive year, along with ‘Best Buy between £10,000-11,000’. Praised for its refined cabin, smooth engine, extensive kit list and practicality, i10 continues to hold off competition from the likes of VW Up and Skoda Citigo.

Jim Holder, Editorial Director, Autocar, Pistonheads, and What Car? said: “In 2014, the i10 managed the remarkable feat of knocking the superb Volkswagen Up off the top spot. Despite facing new or updated rivals, it retained its position in 2015 and has come out on top again in 2016. Like the Skoda Citigo and VW Up, the i10 is a comfortable and nippy city car that’s easy to park and cheap to run. However, it offers a more refined cabin, a smooth engine, an extensive kit list and far greater practicality. Those factors combined result in a car that’s easier to live with and better to drive.”

Hyundai’s ix35 Fuel Cell - the world’s first commercially available fuel cell vehicle - also won the Technology Award (in association with Stuff), alongside the Toyota Mirai.  Hyundai was praised for “its bravery in trying to force change”.

Holder continued: “Supporters say hydrogen fuel cell technology holds the key to the future of sustainable motoring. Critics point out that there is next to no recharging infrastructure, that developing it will be hugely costly and that the fuel cell technology itself is far too complex and expensive to hold any mass appeal. Our judges’ counter to that was that all-new technologies need early champions, and that Hyundai’s bravery in trying to force change is to be applauded.”

Tony Whitehorn, President & CEO, Hyundai Motor UK said: “Winning Best City Car for the third consecutive year is a huge accolade for the cleverly-packaged i10.  It continues to be our best-selling model despite it now being the oldest car in our product line-up.  The fact that it was only launched in 2014 shows just how far the Hyundai brand has evolved and continues to evolve – we have the one of the youngest ranges in the industry and a firm eye on the future with the world’s first commercially available hydrogen-powered vehicle available to buy right now!”

The ix35 Fuel Cell is fitted with a 100 kW (136 PS) electric motor, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of 100mph. It produces no harmful emissions during driving, with only water vapour coming from the tailpipe. The official driving range on a single tank of hydrogen is almost 370 miles, providing range in line with a conventionally-powered car.

The introduction of the ix35 Fuel Cell to market forms part of Hyundai Motor Group’s vision to become a leading environmentally-friendly carmaker by 2020, with the goal of introducing 22 low-emission models by 2020, including 12 hybrids, six plug-in hybrids, two electric vehicles and two hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.

Hyundai Motor delivers five ix35 Fuel Cell cars in Paris to taxi fleet ‘hype', saving 70 Tonnes of CO2 per year.

• Hyundai Motor delivers five ix35 Fuel Cell cars in Paris to taxi fleet ‘hype’
• Car handover and hydrogen refuelling station unveiling alongside COP21
• ix35 Fuel Cell taxis will save around 70 tonnes of CO₂ in Greater Paris area

Hyundai Motor has delivered five ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles to the Paris-based electric taxi start-up STEP (Société du Taxi Electrique Parisien). The handover coincides with the opening of the first hydrogen refuelling station in Paris, launched as the world focuses on COP21, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, held in the French capital.

The delivery of the five ix35 Fuel Cell makes the world’s largest fuel cell taxi fleet, and is the first step in establishing a hydrogen-powered electric taxi fleet called “hype” (Hydrogen Powered Electric), serving the Greater Paris area.The fleet is planned to increase up to several hundred vehicles within five years, with the refuelling infrastructure to be gradually installed in 2016, to meet the increasing demand for hydrogen.

Thomas A. Schmid, Chief Operating Officer at Hyundai Motor Europe, said: “With this pioneering project, Hyundai Motor and STEP are bringing new sustainable mobility to the streets of Paris. The ix35 Fuel Cell taxis will provide not only a clean solution for the city, but also a practical, comfortable and reliable choice for drivers and passengers.”

Compared to a diesel-powered taxi with CO₂ emissions of 135g/km and an annual mileage of 100,000 kilometres, the ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles will save around 70 tonnes of CO₂ per year in exhaust emissions. The only emissions from the tailpipe of the ix35 Fuel Cell during driving are water vapour.

The high-frequency usage of these cars on the ‘hype’ fleet will also showcase the reliability and all-day usability of fuel cell vehicles. To support this, Hyundai Motor will introduce and certify a specialised Hyundai fuel cell dealership, to service the growing taxi fleet.

With this latest delivery of fuel cell electric vehicles, the number of ix35 Fuel Cell on European roads has passed 250 units. The ix35 Fuel Cell was the first hydrogen-powered car to be mass-produced and offered for sale in Europe. The examples already on European roads have covered more than 1.2 million kilometres. By the end of 2015, the model will be available to buy or lease in 13 European countries.

Hydrogen Fuel cell ix35 awarded top place in Design/Innovation by the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers.

• ix35 Fuel Cell awarded top place in Design/Innovation category, decided by members of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers
• Innovative ix35 Fuel Cell was world’s first mass-produced Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle
• Revolutionary SUV powered by hydrogen - emitting nothing but water

The Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell has been awarded top place in the Design/Innovation category at this year’s Scottish Car of the Year awards. The award was handed over to Robin Hayles, Hyundai UK’s Special Vehicles Manager, at a ceremony in Edinburgh on Friday 27^thNovember.

Hyundai’s revolutionary Fuel Cell vehicle was recognised thanks to its pioneering technology –the ix35 Fuel Cell was the world’s first commercially-available hydrogen-powered car. In 2015, ix35 Fuel Cell is now available and on the road in 17 countries across the globe including 13 in Europe.

Alisdair Suttie, President, Association of Scottish Motoring Writers, commented: “The winner of our Design/Innovation category is from a manufacturer that’s renowned for its forward-thinking. 

What we particularly like about the Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell is that it ‘normalises’ hydrogen power by using a bodystyle that happens to be the marque’s second best-seller in Scotland. 

Hyundai deserves credit for bringing a fuel cell car to UK roads to promote what’s increasingly looking like the best way to achieve zero emissions without limiting driving range.”

Robin Hayles, Special Vehicles Manager, Hyundai Motor UK, added: “Hyundai has been developing this technology since 1998, and in October 2014 we saw the arrival of the first mass-production fuel cell vehicles in the UK. 

Additionally, this year it officially became possible for both private and fleet customers to purchase one. With other OEMs starting to bring their fuel cell vehicles to market, you can expect to see many more hydrogen-powered cars on the road in the not-too-distant future.”

This award win comes just days after Hyundai completed its world-first ‘A Streetcar Named Hyundai’ challenge, which saw one ix35 Fuel Cell drive over 2,000 miles of London streets. The end result was the single largest mosaic image, consisting of over 500,000 images – all while emitting zero harmful tailpipe emissions.

Hyundai expands it's Fuel cell roll out with a further 50 ix35's for Europe, making 250 so far.

• Hyundai Motor supplies largest-ever shipment of 50 ix35 Fuel Cell to Europe
• Over 250 fuel cell cars delivered in Europe by Hyundai Motor
• Company’s fuel cell distribution expands to 13 European countries

During October Hyundai Motor has delivered another 50 units of its ix35 Fuel Cell for distribution to customers across Europe, extending the company’s leadership in fuel cell vehicle roll-out.

This shipment, Europe’s largest ever delivery of hydrogen-powered cars, brings the total number of Hyundai fuel cell electric vehicles in Europe to over 250, more than those of every other manufacturer combined. The cars will be supplied to a number of private and corporate customers who have chosen Hyundai’s innovative hydrogen fuel cell car.

The ix35 Fuel Cell was the first hydrogen-powered car to be mass-produced and offered for sale in Europe. The ix35 Fuel Cell cars already on the road have covered more than 1.2 million kilometres. By the end of 2015, the model will be available to buy or lease in 13 European countries, with Spain and Switzerland joining the existing 11-country distribution network.

Thomas A. Schmid, Chief Operating Officer at Hyundai Motor Europe, commented: “This latest landmark delivery enhances our leading position in the roll-out of fuel cell vehicles in Europe. With our fuel cell distribution network growing to 13 European countries, we are enhancing our sales and customer service capabilities, making fuel cell electric vehicles more accessible for customers throughout Europe.”

With the refuelling infrastructure in Europe continuing to grow, Hyundai will further expand its Fuel Cell distribution network. Hyundai Motor is the first manufacturer to train and equip its dealership staff across Europe in the servicing and repair of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles, to ensure a consistent level of highly informed, high quality customer service.

To support the advance of fuel cell technology Hyundai Motor Europe has been working with the Fuel Cell Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH-JU) since October 2011.  Through the public-private partnership, Hyundai is helping to further research, technological development and demonstration activities in fuel cell and hydrogen energy technologies in Europe.

In 2014, Hyundai Motor also joined the Hydrogen For Innovative Vehicles (HyFIVE) project, an extension of the FCH-JU programme. The largest ever pan-European fuel-cell project, it will help to increase the hydrogen refuelling infrastructure and make the technology more accessible to drivers across Europe.

These initiatives form part of Hyundai Motor Group’s vision to become a leading environmentally-friendly carmaker by 2020. Launched in 2014, the ‘2020.22.2’ project has set the goal of introducing 22 low-emission models by 2020, including 12 hybrids, six plug-in hybrids, two electric vehicles and two hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.

The ix35 Fuel Cell is fitted with a 100 kW (136 PS) electric motor, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of 160 km/h. It produces no harmful emissions during driving, with only water vapour coming from the tailpipe. The official driving range on a single tank of hydrogen is almost 600 kilometres, providing range in line with a conventionally-powered car. More information about Hyundai's innovative fuel cell technology is available atwww.fuelcell.eu.

Hyundai Motor UK is celebrating its first decade as official Hyundai subsidiary.

• Hyundai Motor UK is celebrating its first decade as official Hyundai subsidiary
• Brand has sold over 600,000 units in the UK since 2005
• Market share has more than doubled to 3.5% - making it the fastest growing car manufacturer in the UK
• Growth led by new product - combining good design with unbeatable value
• £35.2 million invested into dealer network – with over 70% of the network changing since 2005
• Company’s import centre at Tilbury Docks, Essex has trebled in size

Hyundai Motor UK is this year celebrating its landmark anniversary of 10 years in the UK, since the subsidiary was founded in July 2005*. This period has been the most significant in the Company’s history both in the UK and Globally.

Since its official opening in 2005, Hyundai Motor UK has sold over 600,000 units, with over 82,000 cars sold in 2014 alone.  The brand’s market share has more than doubled from 1.5% to 3.5% making it the fastest growing car manufacturer in the UK. Hyundai Motor UK’s rapid growth can also be seen at the company’s import centre at Tilbury Docks in Essex, which has grown to three times its original size in order to accommodate the increased demand. 

Not only has the company grown in terms of volume, but the company has invested over £35.2 million in its dealer network over the past 10 years with over 70% of the dealer network changing since 2005. Most recently, Hyundai introduced its new dealer showroom identity.

  

Reinforcing Hyundai’s commitment to delivering exceptional levels of customer service, the new look dealership has evolved significantly. It combines open space, modern furnishings and the latest technology to deliver an enhanced customer experience. 

The Company has also recently introduced in partnership with Rockar, the world’s first digital retail experience – Rockar Hyundai - where it is possible to purchase a car online or in store in under five minutes. With over 120,000 visitors to the store in Bluewater over the last 7 months, the success of Rockar Hyundai so far shows that there is room to offer an alternative process for buying a car for those people that want it.

Globally, Hyundai Motor has sold over 37 million cars over the last decade –with 1.7 million cars sold in 2005, compared to 4.96 million in 2014. Additionally, Hyundai was named the 40^th most valuable brand in 2014, up 44 places since 2005**. This transition means Hyundai is the fastest growing automaker in the world, with a brand value increase of 200% over the 10 year period.

Professor Garel Rhys CBE, President for the Centre of Automotive Industry Research, Cardiff University states:

“Over the last ten years, Hyundai Motor has been the most significant and impressive car company on the world stage.  They are clearly number one in Korea despite the Asian Financial Crisis, they are one of the top companies in China and a major player in the US.  They have solidified their position in Europe by not just selling into but manufacturing in the region –this is the sign of a truly global company.

Rhys adds: “They have been able to tap into consumer preference in the UK by offering customers what they want and were quick to respond when the recession hit and the scrappage scheme was introduced –other brands had the right products at the right price but they failed to act as quickly.  Hyundai’s success though would not have continued without the investment in product.  In my opinion, Hyundai Motor has definitely been one of the smartest actors in the automotive industry over the lastdecade.”

Tony Whitehorn, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor UK, said: “I joined Hyundai in 2005, and it’s fantastic to see how far the company has come in such a short space of time. Our success has been driven by three key areas: our product, our customer and our people.”

“In the last 10 years our product range has been completely transformed.  We have transitioned from a brand with product that was purchased on price and reliability to a brand with product that’s now also bought for its looks, technology and comfort.

“Back in 2009, we took a risk. When the government launched the ‘Scrappage Scheme’, we were ready and waiting to fulfill customer orders when many other manufacturers were running out of stock. It’s this move that led us from 28,000 sales in 2008 to over 61,000 in 2010.  However, our continued investment in product, the brand and the customer experience has ensured we are not just a one trick pony! 

“The brand has seen sales continue to rise year on year, with 15 consecutive quarter increases and this year looks set to be our best year to date.  But the best is yet to come – we are  targeting 100,000 sales in the UK in the next few years, with a long-term goal of being within the top five car brands in the UK in the not too distant future.” concludes Whitehorn.

David Neech, a loyal Hyundai customer from Seaford in East Sussex, commented: “My family and I have owned 20 Hyundai cars since 1992 - the first being a Sonata Saloon. Over that time, I have noticed great changes. I can’t believe how much technology is on my latest car. I still haven’t worked out what it all does! But the key thing is that even with more technology and equipment; Hyundais are still so reliable.

“The brand’s design has also evolved - each new model that the Company launches looks much more sophisticated. I have to say that I’m very proud to have the stylish ix35 sitting on my drive today.

Neech added: “My local dealership, Brooklyn Hyundai, has changed dramatically too. It is now magnificent, not that I have to visit there very often!  In fact, in 20 years I have only ever had one issue with a vehicle. What impresses me the most is that even though Hyundai has grown significantly over the past ten years, my local dealership’s service hasn’t faltered. They are always so friendly and welcoming and I still feel like a truly valued customer.”

To celebrate the 10^th anniversary, Hyundai Motor UK will be launching a world-first driving challenge in London.  More details will be released this Autumn.

The challenge will culminate in a celebratory event where another Hyundai milestone will be announced.

Hyundai grows sales in Europe with a host of all new models launched and more to come.

• Sales record: 237,221 registrations in Europe during first six months of 2015
• Customer demand driven by several new model launches
• All-New Tucson to further boost demand and enhance brand perceptions

Hyundai Motor has posted a record first-half year in Europe, with registrations hitting 237,221 units between January and June – an all-time high for the brand. The growth in Hyundai Motor’s sales is driven by the introduction of new models, including New Generation i20, New i30 and New i40. 

Significant further demand is expected with the launch of the All-New Tucson, arriving on the European market during the coming months.

The record sales total represents an 8.1% increase over the 219,373 registrations delivered in the same period last year. And it exceeds the previous first-half best, achieved in 2012.

Ramping up its Product Momentum initiative, the company will renew or replace 80% of its model line-up in Europe during 2015. Among the newcomers, the New Generation i20 range now includes the Coupe version, and the New i30 family has its Turbo model for the first time. New i40 Saloon and Tourer have also brought increased interest from customers in Europe.

Under this comprehensive product renewal strategy, the i10 will soon be the oldest model in the Hyundai range, even though it was only launched at the start of 2014.

Expected to further enhance sales as well as brand perceptions among customers in Europe, the All-New Tucson is coming to the C-SUV segment–the company’s best-selling segment last year.

Thomas A. Schmid, Chief Operating Officer at Hyundai Motor Europe, commented: “We are committed to making cars that meet customer demands, by focusing on the specific needs of European buyers. This approach is helping to deliver our sales growth in a competitive market. We have arguably the youngest range of cars, soon to be boosted with the introduction of All-New Tucson, which will help to further shift perceptions of our brand and attract more new customers to choose Hyundai.”

Hyundai Motor accounted for 3.2% of all cars registered in Europe during the first half of 2015, matching its share of the market achieved during the same period last year.

More than 90% of the vehicles Hyundai sells in the region are designed, engineered and tested in Europe to meet the needs of European customers. And 90% are built at its two local factories in the Czech Republic and Turkey.