Hyundai unveils blueprint for “green car”

Hyundai Kia Automotive Group announced that it will spend 2.2 trillion won (US$1.8 billion) to develop eco-friendly car technology with contractors by 2013 according to its “’Green Car Development Plan,” which was unveiled on August 13. Korea’s leading carmaker said it will apply next-generation engine transmission systems (power train) with more than 20% improvement in actual road fuel efficiency to some mass-produced car models from next year. Also, it will commercialize plug-in hybrid vehicles. With regard to electric cars that only run on electric motors, the company said it will start test driving to establish the required infrastructure from 2011. With regard to hydro fuel cell cars, production will be limited, it said, and will be applied to 2012 Tucson and Sportage models only. (August 14, 2009)