Sustainability leads PM to Hyundai research centre
Environmental sustainability leads PM to cutting edge Hyundai research and development centre.
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 Minister to see the Namyang centre and experience first hand the cutting edge technology Hyundai has developed.”
ENDS