Hyundai Drive 4 Hope Tour Launches in San Francisco for Hope on Wheels

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- To demonstrate the environmental advantages and performance of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) while benefitting kids with cancer, Hyundai Motor America has launched the Hyundai Drive 4 Hope.  As the official car of Hope on Wheels, Hyundai's major pediatric cancer program, a Hyundai Tucson FCEV will travel more than 4,500 miles coast to coast for kids with cancer.  During September National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Hyundai Hope on Wheels will award a total of $7.1 million to children's hospitals nationwide.

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During its national tour, the Hyundai Tucson FCEV will stop at hospitals across the country, collecting colorful handprints from childhood cancer patients and survivors along the way. By the end of September, the vehicle will have collected hundreds of handprints from children around the country, each representing a personal story about a child's battle with this deadly disease.

After its kickoff with a handprint ceremony at University of California San Francisco Benioff Children's Hospital on September 1st – the first of 71 hospitals to receive $100,000 Hope Grants – the Hyundai Tucson FCEV will travel over 4,500 miles through more than 15 states in under 30 days.

"Hyundai is committed to bold and innovative change to make the world a better place," said John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "Through Hope on Wheels, we are making great strides in the treatment of childhood cancer and through our leadership in fuel cell technology, we are making bold strides for a cleaner planet."

As part of the company's fuel efficiency strategy, which includes more cars and trucks that achieve over 40 miles per gallon than any other automotive manufacturer, the Hyundai Drive 4 Hope Tour will showcase the efficiency and advantages of Hyundai's next-generation fuel cell electric vehicle technology. The Hyundai Tucson FCEV utilizes fuel cell power from compressed hydrogen, an energy source that is not only renewable but far less volatile than gasoline. The Tucson FCEV’s performance is comparable to that of a gasoline-powered vehicle.

Fuel cell electric vehicle technology also presents the potential for a more practical long-term alternative fuel driving solution without limitations. Unlike plug-in electric vehicles that are limited by range and recharging times, fuel cell-powered electric vehicles can go up to 400 miles between refueling – more than three times the range of a plug-in electric vehicle – and never need to be recharged.

Hyundai's Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, Zafar Brooks, is teaming up with Hyundai Drive 4 Hope Field Leader, Joe Foster to complete this epic journey, which they will be chronicling on www.HyundaiDrive4Hope.com.  Zafar and Joe will be blogging in real time and uploading photos and videos of their cross-country voyage, sharing event highlights and stories of people they meet along the way.  

"Fuel cell technology is one of the lowest carbon footprint power solutions in the automotive industry and it has the potential to be a zero carbon solution," said Michael O'Brien, vice president of product and corporate planning of Hyundai Motor America. "Several manufacturers are actively exploring fuel cell technology, but Hyundai is making it a reality with the ability to begin factory production of fuel cell cars and trucks in the next several years."

For more information about Hyundai's leadership in fuel efficiency and Fuel cell electric vehicle technology, please visit http://csr.hyundai.com/eng/environment/product/sub_hydrogen.aspx. For more information about Hyundai Hope on Wheels, this year's Hope Grant recipients, and how you can get involved, please visit www.hyundaihopeonwheels.org/.

HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS

Hyundai Hope on Wheels® is the united effort of Hyundai Motor America and its more than 800 dealers across the U.S. to raise awareness about childhood cancer and to celebrate the lives of children battling the disease.  In 2011, Hope on Wheels will have committed more than $43 million in donations to pediatric cancer research since the program began in 1998.  Hyundai Hope on Wheels is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 800 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile power train warranty, 5-years of complimentary Roadside Assistance and the Hyundai Trade-in Value Guarantee.

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America