Executive Vice Chairman Chung Ui-sun of Hyundai Motor Group explains the strategy for future cars on Oct. 15 at the ceremony for announcing the National Strategy for Future Cars. (Photo: HMG)

Hyundai Motor Company announced key investments into three hydrogen companies - Impact Coatings, H2Pro and GRZ Technologies - to strengthen its leadership position in the global hydrogen fuel cell ecosystem.

The collaborations will enable Hyundai to expand its hydrogen infrastructure and enhance the efficiency of its fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) manufacturing.

“Our investment in these innovative companies will reduce the production cost of FCEVs and enhance the safety and affordability of hydrogen infrastructure,” the company said.

“We hope to accelerate the widespread adoption of hydrogen technology by making FCEVs more accessible for our customers,” said Youngcho Chi, President and Chief Innovation Officer at Hyundai Motor Group.

Impact Coatings AB is a leading supplier of PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition}-based coating solutions for fuel cells, offering coating materials, machines, and services. The Swedish company’s ceramic coatings are cost-efficient substitutes for precious metals used in fuel cell production.

Under the new joint development agreement, Hyundai and Impact Coatings will jointly research and develop a new generation of materials, processes and equipment for a variety of applications, including fuel cells and hydrogen production.

H2Pro is an Israeli startup that developed the E-TAC (electrochemical, thermally active chemical) water splitting technology, which is efficient, affordable, and safe.

H2Pro’s technology will allow Hyundai to lower the cost of hydrogen production, which will in turn reduce the price of hydrogen for customers.

This marks Hyundai’s second investment into the startup since Hyundai CRADLE Tel Aviv first announced the partnership in November 2018.

GRZ Technologies is a company based in Switzerland specializing in energy storage in hydrogen form. Its technology stores hydrogen more safely at lower pressure with higher density, while its proprietary compression technology is also more affordable.

Hyundai’s agreement with GRZ will accelerate the company’s efforts to commercialize hydrogen infrastructure for greater accessibility to customers.

Hyundai Motor introduced the ix35 Fuel Cell (also known as Tucson Fuel Cell) in 2013. Hyundai’s second-generation FCEV, the NEXO, has a range of more than 609 kilometers and emits clean water vapor and purifies the air while driving.

Hyundai Motor and its affiliate, Kia Motors, will provide lifetime warranties to owners of vehicles equipped with Theta 2 gasoline direct injection (GDi) engines, the companies said.

Car owners in Korea and the United States, who have experienced engine failure, will be able to receive various cash compensation options and lifetime warranties.

Korea’s two largest automakers said they would extend the installment of the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) for the early detection of engine failure.

Their engine warranties will affect nearly 520,000 models equipped with Theta 2GDi and Theta 2 turbocharged GDi engines, including the 2010-19 Hyundai Sonata, Grandeur, Santa Fe, Veloster N, and Kia K5, K7, Sorento and Sportage vehicles.

“Hyundai and Kia will continue to focus on improving customer satisfaction by offering customer-oriented, high-quality technologies and services,” a Hyundai Motor official said.

In addition, Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America have entered into an agreement to resolve class action litigation with owners of certain vehicles equipped with Theta 2 GDi engines. U.S. federal prosecutors had been investigating whether Hyundai and Kia properly conducted vehicle recalls linked to engine defects.

In 2015, Hyundai recalled 470,000 U.S. Sonata sedans, saying engine defects would increase the risk of stalling.

In March 2017, Hyundai expanded its U.S. recall to 572,000 Sonata and Santa Fe Sport vehicles with Theta 2 engines, citing the same issue involving engine failure. Kia also recalled 618,000 Optima, Sorento and Sportage vehicles, all of which use the same engine.

According to automakers, the agreement terms will include cash compensation options, lifetime warranties, free inspection and repair of the covered engines, and installation of KSDS to enhance safety and address engine performance.