FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Oct. 31, 2001 – Hyundai Motor Company’s Santa Fe FCEV, a fuel cell-powered sport utility vehicle, took home two gold and two silver awards from the Michelin Challenge Bibendum, an annual showcase for alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles, held Oct. 26-28.

In the first-ever North American competitions for fuel cell vehicles, the Santa Fe FCEV earned gold medals in both the emissions and noise tests, and received silver medals for its performance in the slalom and fuel efficiency tests. Testing of the Santa Fe FCEV was done at the California Speedway in Fontana, Calif. with support from Hyundai Motor Company subsidiary Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. Fuel cell vehicles were rated against industry protocols, or commonly accepted standards of excellence applied to internal combustion engine vehicles and given grades ranging from A through D. Letter grades were translated into gold, silver and bronze medals at the awards ceremony Sunday, Oct. 28.

The Hyundai Santa Fe FCEV participated in the Michelin Challenge Bibendum as a member of the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP), a public-private venture of automakers, energy and fuel cell technology companies, and government agencies working together to advance the commercialization of fuel cell-powered vehicles. A total of six hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles from various manufacturers were entered in the Michelin event.

“The Michelin Challenge Bibendum proved that fuel cell technology has taken great strides towards becoming a viable option for consumers. We at Hyundai and the members of the California Fuel Cell Partnership have a lot to be proud of,” said Chung Goo Lee, president of worldwide research and development for Hyundai Motor Company. “We are exceptionally proud of our team and our partners for developing a vehicle that represents the technical expertise and spirit of innovation at Hyundai.”

Power for the Hyundai Santa Fe FCEV comes from a 75-kilowatt fuel cell developed by International Fuel Cells, which is also the sole provider of fuel cells for U.S. manned space missions. Under a joint development agreement, Hyundai Motor Company and IFC share hydrogen fuel cell system technology and apply it to automobiles.

Additional Hyundai partners in developing fuel cell-powered vehicles include Enova Systems and Quantum Technologies Worldwide, Inc. Enova, a major developer of electric and hybrid drivetrains for Hyundai, is supplying the electric drivetrain, motor and control unit. Quantum provides the hydrogen fuel tank that can be filled to 5,000 pounds per square inch enabling the vehicle to go more than 100 miles in one fueling.

A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, heat and water. When fueled with pure hydrogen, fuel cells are pollution-free.

Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company, Korea. It is responsible for new model vehicle evaluation.

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