New biofuels are fine, says Hyundai

3 August 2007

New biofuels are fine, says Hyundai

The majority of Hyundai vehicles on New Zealand roads can run perfectly and safely on the new biofuels.

That’s the word from the fast-rising brand as ethanol-blended petrol becomes the first biofuel on the New Zealand market. If you have any concerns, owners are requested to check the first section of their owner’s manual regarding “fuel recommendations.”

The majority of Hyundai passenger vehicles running on petrol will accept petrol with ethanol blend up to 10 percent (E10), the level now provided by Gull and well above Government guidelines coming into force next year.

All Hyundai diesel models will accept biodiesel when it arrives on the market, to a level of five percent blend (B5). Again that’s well above the Government guideline levels.

“We have been working behind the scenes with Fonterra, the provider of the base ethanol additive, for several years,” explained the Executive Director of Hyundai Motors NZ, Philip Eustace.

“Similarly we have been working with Gull and the other major fuel companies.

“We have provided vehicles for ongoing, long-term testing on the biofuel blends, and we have run our own extensive tests.

“In the 2004 Energywise Rally we ran a Getz on an Ethanol blended fuel, we have run our entire press fleet of vehicles on E10 and B5 for the past two years, and recently in the Hyundai eco-run, all vehicles were powered by E10 and B5.

“These are just some of the ways we have been involved with alternative fuels in New Zealand, well before the Government decided to make them available at the pump.

“There has also been huge R&D work at the South Korean factory on compatibility with biofuels, which of course are common in several countries where Hyundai vehicles are sold.

“The bottom line is, every modern Hyundai passenger vehicle accepts the new biofuels at levels well above the blends at which they are arriving on the New Zealand market.

“That applies to all current model cars, SUVs and the new Hyundai van which arrives here early next year,” added Mr. Eustace.

- Hyundai is on a meteoric rise in New Zealand with almost 400 percent growth in four years and numerous new locations among its 23 dealerships. The brand has been imported into New Zealand by the Giltrap Group for the past 25 years.
- Worldwide Hyundai was the sixth largest automaker in 2006, selling in 193 countries and employing 50,000 people. Forty years old, Hyundai has targeted customer satisfaction as its 2007 keynote, part of the brand's overall aim to become global quality leader.

- Hyundai is a committed sponsor of sports and cultural organisations in New Zealand and worldwide. See www.hyundai.co.nz
- For further information about Hyundai vehicles in New Zealand, including high resolution images and an archive of press releases, log onto the dedicated Hyundai Media website at www.hyundai.co.nz/media
- For the international media news room, where you can download press releases, high-resolution photos, as well as preview and request broadcast-standard video which will be delivered digitally or by tape, visit

www.thenewsmarket.com/HyundaiMotor. Registration and video is free to accredited media.

ENDS

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