Governments must do more to further the green automotive revolution,
Hyundai tells OECD Forum
At the OECD Forum 2009, staged by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Hyundai Motor Europe called on the world’s governments to play a more significant role in the move towards ‘green’ energy solutions for the automotive industry.
During his speech at the Forum, which took place yesterday (23rd June) in Paris, Allan Rushforth, Vice-President at Hyundai Motor Europe, highlighted some of the barriers faced by car-makers in their efforts to provide consumers with cleaner alternatives to traditional fossil fuel technologies.
Sales of smaller cars have increased by over 70 per cent for Hyundai in the first five months of this year compared to 2008, as buyers are opting to down-size. But Mr. Rushforth argued that a clearer direction needs to be given by legislators if more motorists are to make the change to ‘green’ vehicles.
Noting the inconsistent fiscal incentives offered in different European markets for choosing lower-emissions cars, he said, “In Europe alone, car manufacturers must develop products to suit a very wide range of different vehicle-related tax laws. This is a daunting challenge, and meeting it requires a considerable investment in terms of product development and marketing. We run the risk of moving away from a common market for cars and incurring costs that may ultimately have to be borne by the consumer.”
Looking at specific technologies, Mr. Rushforth asserted that the uptake of electric vehicles will only gain momentum once governments and utility companies do their part to create the necessary supporting infrastructure. “This means putting in place roadside recharging points and overhauling the regulatory framework, such as creating electric-only parking facilities, and reducing tolls and taxes for pure electric vehicles. All of this will be vital to help spur sales,” he added.
Hyundai Motor Europe was the only representative of the automotive industry at the Forum, which was chaired by H.E. Han Seung-soo, Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea. The company has stated many times its commitment to tackling environmental issues by implementing a comprehensive ethical policy into its production operations and new product development process.
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Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Co. has grown into the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group which was ranked as the world’s fifth largest automaker since 2007 and includes over two dozen auto-related subsidiaries and affiliates. Employing over 75,000 people worldwide, Hyundai Motor sold approximately 2.8 million vehicles globally in 2008, posting sales of US$25.6 billion on a non-consolidated basis (using the average currency exchange of 1257.5 won per US dollar). Hyundai vehicles are sold in 193 countries through some 6,000 dealerships and showrooms. Further information about Hyundai Motor and its products is available at http://www.hyundai.com/ | 
