SS Kim: Hyundai’s affordable EV will drive economies of scale

After having completed two successful decades of operations in India and celebrating its silver jubilee this year, Hyundai Motor India has hinted at plans to now bring a strong focus on zero-emission vehicles.

The carmaker recently inaugurated its massive corporate headquarters in Gurgaon, Haryana, replete with EV chargers and a host of global sustainable products on display including the Ioniq 5 EV and Nexo fuel-cell vehicle.

“Over the years, we have developed a robust value chain with the help of partners, stakeholders and government. It is our constant endeavour to drive excellence across the spectrum of service and technology,” said SS Kim, MD and CEO, Hyundai Motor India, during his address at the 61^st ACMA annual convention on August 27.

“We will adopt an India-specific strategy to build more resilience and focus on advancement of IC powertrain technology and also bring strong focus on zero-emission vehicles,” Kim added.

While the carmaker will have a four-pillared strategy based on Mobility, Electric, Connected and Autonomous (MECA) to drive the technology-led future growth, it is also focusing on developing an affordable, zero-emission vehicle (likely to be an EV), which will also play a crucial role in helping the industry achieve critical volumes to drive economies of scale in the EV domain and drive down costs.

“Our transition as an alternate mobility solutions provider will be gradual but also accelerated in order to facilitate creation of a value chain and help industry achieve ideal volumes for economies of scale,” Kim remarked.

Unlike other carmakers, Hyundai is dipping its fingers in almost every possible alternative propulsion technology including hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, EVs, and BS VI-compliant CNG, diesel and petrol too.

“We will continue to focus on advanced technologies including hydrogen fuel cells while also further advancing conventional powertrains which are now BS VI compliant – both petrol and diesel,” Kim signed off.

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