Hyundai Reveals Plans to Become Global Green Leader
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SYDNEY - OCTOBER 9, 2009: Hyundai Motor Company, South Korea’s leading automaker, has just released its 2009 Sustainability Report, highlighting sustainable environmental management as the key driving force behind its ambition to become the world’s greenest automotive company by 2015.
Hyundai has a stated goal of environmental leadership in the auto industry and of redefining the Hyundai brand as a technological innovator. Hyundai has committed to reduce harmful emissions and produce environmentally-friendly technology, and will bring to market a family of fuel-efficient and eco-friendly cars and products. As an example, the company aims to lead the way in fuel efficiency by achieving a fleet average of 6.7 litres per 100 km by 2015 - five years ahead of the US and the expected Canadian governments' 2020 deadlines.
As well as discussing its eco-friendly vehicle goals, the report also details Hyundai Motor Company’s manufacturing processes and procedures.
Hyundai was the first South Korean automaker to introduce an environmental management system in 1995. The company then formulated an environmental management philosophy and global environmental management policy, which was officially announced in June 2003.
In September 2008, Hyundai introduced its production environment management system to continue addressing environmental risks. For each manufacturing facility, the system tracks data relating to emissions of greenhouse gases, air pollutants and water pollutants, the volume of water consumed during production, waste and hazardous chemicals management. By analysing past performance and future projections the data assists as a reference to support activities to meet future reduction targets.
The next phase will be to upgrade Hyundai Motor Company’s management system and integrate the control over production-related environmental performance in all of its manufacturing facilities across the globe, strengthening the company’s ability to enhance its global environmental performance.
Overview of Hyundai’s environmental management
system
The 92 page report – the seventh since 2003 –
titled ‘The Road to Sustainability’, also summarises the
company’s corporate social responsibility activities and results. It
provides an opportunity to review Hyundai’s progress on
sustainability activities, and looks at areas providing opportunities for
improvement. This process is part of the company’s efforts to become
a more environmentally conscious, socially responsible and economically
viable business.
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To this end, Hyundai is taking a two-pronged approach: quantitative growth through global, quality and brand management to enhance the company’s global competitiveness and further build upon sales results; and qualitative growth by embracing environmental management.
The goal is to meet the demands of customers and other stakeholders for low-carbon, green growth. Hyundai’s Blue Drive strategy represents the company’s commitment to develop and supply environmentally-friendly vehicles. Blue Drive will guide Hyundai’s efforts to create vehicles with enhanced basic features such as driving performance, safety and convenience, while at the same time consuming less fuel and emitting less CO2.
The report covers five key areas:
Evidence of Hyundai’s investment in eco-friendly technology was seen as the recent Frankfurt Motor Show where the company displayed four production and concept cars as part of the Blue Drive Zone. ‘Blue Drive’ describes Hyundai’s umbrella plan to develop low-carbon, fuel-efficient vehicles that minimise fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions, allowing Hyundai to meet the social need for both mobility and environmental preservation.
One Blue Drive car on display was the ix-Metro concept representing a daring new Hybrid Electric CUV architecture, initially slated for the European market and emitting just 80g/km of CO2. The other global premiere was the i10 Electric, a production-ready zero emissions vehicle. The i10 Electric promises a driving range of 160km and a top speed of 130km/h. Limited series production will start in Korea in 2010 for pilot fleet demonstration purposes.
In his address to the audience which gathered to catch the unveiling of the two concept cars, Hyundai Vice Chairman Euisun Chung said: “Blue Drive is all about bold new thinking, about listening more carefully to what consumers are saying and what they really want. Our declared goal is bold: It’s to be the industry’s eco-leader."
The Zone also included the Elantra LPI Hybrid, launched in South Korea in July this year and the world’s first hybrid vehicle to be powered by LPG, representing the beginning of Hyundai’s ambitious initiative to open up the Blue Drive era. The Blue Drive Zone also saw the Blue Will Plug-In Hybrid Electric concept vehicle on display.
In Australia, Hyundai is already offering cars that have been recognised for their eco-friendliness. ECO Car magazine named the new Hyundai i30cw wagon CRDi ‘2009 ECO Car of the Year’ and the i30 CRDi hatch was Carsguide’s ‘Green Car of the Year’ in 2007. In October, Hyundai will be participating in the Global Green Challenge crossing the continent from Darwin to Adelaide, competing with the new 2010 Santa Fe that promises excellent fuel economy to SUV drivers.”