Environmental sustainability leads PM to Hyundai R&D cente in South Korea
Tuesday 20 May 2008, 6:04PM
By Hyundai Motors New Zealand
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Prime Minister Helen Clark visited the Hyundai research and development centre in Namyang, South Korea, on Saturday, 16 May.
The Prime Minister visited Korea last week for high level talks with Korean President Lee Myung-Bak and other senior Korean officials.
The Prime Minister toured the Namyang facility and was briefed on Hyundai’s research into hybrid vehicles by Hyundai’s global Chairman and CEO of Hyundai Chung Mong-Koo and his senior management team.
Helen Clark also had the opportunity to be driven in Hyundai’s hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and new petrol/ electric fuel cell vehicle.
“Hyundai’s work in this area is impressive. Research of this nature is vital to develop alternatives to our reliance on petrol and diesel, and to meet the challenges the world faces from climate change,” Helen Clark said.
Accompanying her was a delegation consisting of the New Zealand Ambassador Jane Coombs, the Korean Ambassador to New Zealand Lee Joon-gyu. Philip Eustace Executive Director Hyundai Motors New Zealand was at the facility to assist with the visit.
“At Hyundai Motors New Zealand we have just had our best month ever for sales. We now have 7.14% of the new vehicle market which shows the Hyundai brand is continuing to grow here at home” says Mr Eustace.
“Alongside the free trade agreement talks, Hyundai has just announced a significant stake in oil exploration of the Taranaki coast; this will serve to strengthen the ties between the two countries. There was no better time for the Prime Minster to see the Namyang centre and experience first hand the cutting edge technology Hyundai has developed."