Hyundai-Kia to provide eco-friendly cars to Yeosu Expo

The Hyundai Kia Automotive Group said Sunday it will provide 51 eco-friendly vehicles to the organizing committee of the Yeosu Expo 2012 to help facilitate logistics.

   The Expo will run for three months from Saturday and is expected to attract more than 8 million visitors from across the globe with the emphasis being put on challenges posed by climate change and protecting the marine environment.

   Among the vehicles to be provided are hydrogen fuel-cell sport utility vehicle (SUV) Tucson ix and the SUV Mohave, electric vehicles such as crossover utility vehicle (CUV) Ray EV and the Blueon, and a compressed natural gas (CNG) hybrid bus.

   About 20 hydrogen and electric cars will be allocated to those from developing countries, and the rest for ceremonial functions and the transportation of troupes performing during the exposition.

   Hyundai-Kia said that it will begin mass production of sub-compact electric cars in 2014.

   The company also plans to localize the manufacturing of core parts of hydrogen vehicles this year so it can mass produce them by 2015.