Before 2018 is gone, Hyundai, which... made eyes this year with the i30N - and beyond - achieves a rather coveted goal: It's sweeping major awards, quality, design and innovation awards in Europe and especially in Germany. The last "hit" for the Koreans this year was the "Auto Trophy 2018".
So Hyundai Motor won the prestigious "Auto Trophy 2018", where the editors of the German car magazine Auto Zeitung chose Hyundai as the "most innovative brand". The prestigious award highlights the brand's ambition to play a leading role in future mobility and offer a wide range of environmentally friendly vehicles.
"The Korean brand builds everything from sporty compacts to hybrids, electric vehicles or even the fuel cell NEXO," wrote Auto Zeitung Editor-in-Chief Volker Koerdt about Hyundai's innovative technologies in the November 2018 issue.
Hyundai is already a leader in future mobility and is still the only manufacturer to have all powertrains in wide production. Our progressive spirit is also reflected in our global sustainability strategy to launch 18 new eco-friendly models by 2025, including eight (8) hybrids, four (4) plug-in hybrids, five (5) electric vehicles and one fuel cell electric vehicle," commented Hyundai Motor Europe's Vice President Marketing & Product, Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, proudly. "We are very pleased that Auto Zeitung appreciates our strategy and success by awarding us as the most innovative brand."
The Hyundai IONIQ is the first car worldwide to be available with three electric motors in one body type - Hybrid, Plug-in and Electric - making eco-friendly mobility accessible to all. Earlier this year, Hyundai expanded its alternative engine range with the all-new Kona Electric - the world's first fully electric subcompact SUV.
Hyundai has been researching the fuel cell sector since 1998 and has been a pioneering force in the development of this technology. In 2013, Hyundai created the world's first fuel cell vehicle, the ix35 Fuel Cell. In 2018, Hyundai launched the NEXO, a 2nd generation electric vehicle, which is entering production. The NEXO (hydrogen consumption in kg/100 km: in-city 0.77, out-of-town 0.87, combined trip 0.84) offers advanced technology with autonomous driving capability, intelligent advanced driver support systems and strongest powertrain in the segment. In October 2018, Hyundai unveiled another milestone in its leadership in fuel cell technology with the fuel cell electric truck, which will be available in 2019.
With over 70% of fuel cell vehicles on the road in Europe, Hyundai already has a leading position in this market. In June 2018, as is already known, Hyundai Motor and AUDI AG announced a multi-year collaboration covering a wide range of fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) components and technologies. As part of this partnership, Hyundai and AUDI AG will make joint efforts to develop FCEVs in order to lead the automotive industry towards a more sustainable future.
During the "IAA Commercial Vehicles 2018" in Hannover, Hyundai entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Swiss hydrogen company H2 Energy (H2E). Starting in 2019 and for a five-year period, Hyundai and H2 Energy will provide 1,000 heavy-duty electric trucks, as well as an adequate supply chain for renewable hydrogen.
