ID :
202005
Thu, 08/18/2011 - 04:59
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/202005
The shortlink copeid
Hyundai, Kia ranked 4th among fuel cell car developers
SEOUL, Aug. 18 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co. and its affiliate Kia Motors Corp. rank fourth among major carmakers trying to develop commercial fuel cell vehicles (FCV), an industry report showed Thursday.
The report by Pike Research, a U.S.-based clean technology market researcher, said the South Korean carmakers received a total of 65.1 points in the 12 criteria checked.
This placed them behind Germany's Daimler AG with 69.9 points, and two Japanese carmakers, Honda Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Co., but ahead of General Motors Co. among the "contender" carmakers that have the potential to lead the FCV market down the road.
The criteria included go-to-market strategies, product portfolio, innovation, partnerships, pricing, staying power and overall execution of the development plan.
Pike checked a total of 10 carmakers with the remaining five such as China's SAIC Motor Corp. Nissan-Renault and Ford Motor Co. being categorized as "challengers" that are trying to catch up on development.
The researcher said that carmakers need to continue testing and refining their respective fuel cell systems as well as moving forward on vehicle integration and optimization. It also called for driving down vehicle costs so people can buy such cars when they reach the market.
Leading carmakers, including Hyundai, want to mass produce full-fledged FCVs by 2015 at the latest although some are targeting 2014.
Fuel cell systems are designed to convert chemical energy from a natural fuel source, such as hydrogen, directly into electricity. Such an arrangement can give mankind an almost limitless source of clean energy.
Meanwhile, Hyundai was also named one of the top 50 best global green brands by Interbrand Corp. The global branding consulting company said the company ranked fourth in green brands for automotive companies and 11th overall among companies checked.
The favorable rating by Interbrand comes after Hyundai introduced experimental hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in 2009 and signed memorandums of understanding with European countries to provide FCV test cars.
The report by Pike Research, a U.S.-based clean technology market researcher, said the South Korean carmakers received a total of 65.1 points in the 12 criteria checked.
This placed them behind Germany's Daimler AG with 69.9 points, and two Japanese carmakers, Honda Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Co., but ahead of General Motors Co. among the "contender" carmakers that have the potential to lead the FCV market down the road.
The criteria included go-to-market strategies, product portfolio, innovation, partnerships, pricing, staying power and overall execution of the development plan.
Pike checked a total of 10 carmakers with the remaining five such as China's SAIC Motor Corp. Nissan-Renault and Ford Motor Co. being categorized as "challengers" that are trying to catch up on development.
The researcher said that carmakers need to continue testing and refining their respective fuel cell systems as well as moving forward on vehicle integration and optimization. It also called for driving down vehicle costs so people can buy such cars when they reach the market.
Leading carmakers, including Hyundai, want to mass produce full-fledged FCVs by 2015 at the latest although some are targeting 2014.
Fuel cell systems are designed to convert chemical energy from a natural fuel source, such as hydrogen, directly into electricity. Such an arrangement can give mankind an almost limitless source of clean energy.
Meanwhile, Hyundai was also named one of the top 50 best global green brands by Interbrand Corp. The global branding consulting company said the company ranked fourth in green brands for automotive companies and 11th overall among companies checked.
The favorable rating by Interbrand comes after Hyundai introduced experimental hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in 2009 and signed memorandums of understanding with European countries to provide FCV test cars.
