Hyundai to provide cars for Olympics

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Business

Tue, October 3, 2023 | 07:07

Hyundai to provide cars for Olympics

Posted : 2017-12-20 10:12

Updated : 2017-12-20 17:51

K-pop singer Kim So-hye carries the Olympic flame, riding in the Hyundai Ioniq electric vehicle, during the torch relay on Jeju Island in this Nov. 2 file photo. Kim's father drove the car. / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor

By Park Jae-hyuk

Hyundai Motor Group will showcase its core technologies during the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, which is only 50 days away, the nation's largest automotive group said Wednesday.

As an official tier-one sponsoring partner, the automaker plans to offer 4,100 vehicles and a large amount of financial support for the world's largest winter sports event.

According to the company, it will operate self-driving buses and cars in a 200-kilometer section from Incheon International Airport to Pyeongchang. Visitors to the Olympic venues will also be able to take five self-driving buses during the event.

The autonomous cars are the Tucson fuel-cell electric vehicles and the third-generation hydrogen fuel-cell buses. Drivers should sit in drivers' seats in the vehicles, but they only need to hold the steering wheel in case of an emergency.

They will receive locations of obstacles and other cars through a fifth-generation communication network. For the project, the carmaker will establish a high-definition map, cooperating with Hyundai Motor Group's infotainment affiliate, Hyundai Mnsoft.

Starting from last month, the world's fifth-largest carmaker has also participated in the torch relay.

It provided K-pop Singer Kim So-hye with the Hyundai Ioniq electric vehicle (EV) for the 200-meter leg of torch relay on Jeju Island, drawing public attention to eco-friendly energy. The former I.O.I member conveyed the torch, riding in the car driven by her father.

Jeju citizens charged the vehicle by running on a specially-designed stage that converts energy from people's footsteps into small amounts of electrical power.

"It is honor to see the Ioniq powered by passion of citizens is used for the torch relay," Hyundai Executive Vice President Lee Kwang-guk said. "We will consolidate our will to develop futuristic eco-friendly technologies."

The model takes the top spot in domestic EV market, accounting for more than 60 percent of total EV sales. It can go up to 191 kilometers with a recharge.

During the Winter Games, the company will also display its next generation electric and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul.

Separate from its sponsorship of the PyeongChang Winter Games, Hyundai Motor has supported Korea's national bobsleigh team since it gave a sleigh to the team in 2014.

With a fuselage that has enhanced flexibility, the bobsled developed by Hyundai enables smooth cornering and minimizes air resistance. The company has also begun developing sled runners, which are important for a better performance.

Hyundai's bobsled is blue and red, the colors on the Taegeukgi, the Korean national flag. Its curved body shows the sleigh's speed and dynamic image.

Based on the support, the national bobsleigh team has participated in international events with Hyundai's bobsleds since 2016. Thanks to the model, the men's team successfully landed as one of top 10 teams during the Bobsleigh World Cup, while the women's team won the North American Tournament Cup this year.

The team officials expressed their gratitude. "Hyundai Motor's support has contributed greatly to our team's performance," said head coach Lee Yong. "The team will do our utmost to win a medal in the Olympics next year."

Hyundai Motor said it will also help analyze the bobsleigh track for the PyeongChang Winter Olympic to contribute to the team's performance during the event.

In addition to the bobsleigh team, Hyundai Motor Group has supported other winter sports athletes.

Hyundai Motor became an official sponsor for the Federation International de Ski in 2012 to help organize a number of official events such as the Ski Jump World Cup, Ski Flying Championship and Nordic World Ski Championship.

Its sister brand Kia Motors has also helped speed skaters since 2004. In 2010, it sponsored the nation's star speed skaters Lee Seung-hoon, Mo Tae-bum and Lee Sang-hwa during the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games.

Figure-skating legend Yuna Kim also benefited from Hyundai Motor's sponsorship. The carmaker said it offered various kinds of support including providing vehicles during her training.

pjh@koreatimes.co.kr