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Korea Herald
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
Hyundai builds local fan base with Japan's first official owner club
Japan's first official Hyundai Motor fan club has been established, marking a milestone in the brand's growing presence since its reentry into the market in 2022, Hyundai Motor Company said Tuesday. Hyundai Motor Club Japan, formed by local owners and enthusiasts of Hyundai vehicles, held its launch ceremony on Sunday in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. The club, comprised largely of electric vehicle drivers, is expected to become a key channel for sharing Hyundai EV ownership experiences in the Japanese market. To celebrate the formation of the brand's first overseas fan club, members of Hyundai's existing fan club in Korea and officials from Hyundai Motor Company, including Hyundai Mobility Japan CEO Toshiyuki Shimegi, attended the event. 'The members of Hyundai Motor Club Japan will be a driving force in the development of Hyundai's electric vehicle presence in Japan,' said the CEO. 'We hope EV owners around the world can feel the value of Hyundai's EVs through a lifestyle shared with our brand.' The company is focusing on Japan's nascent EV market in its second attempt to enter the country's passenger car sector, after withdrawing in 2009 due to sluggish sales of internal combustion engine models. This time, the company exclusively rolled out electric and fuel cell models. Models currently available in the market include the Ioniq 5, Kona Electric, Casper EV — sold locally as Inster — and the Nexo. Although Hyundai's annual sales in Japan remain below 1,000 units, the company is gradually building its presence in what is often called a 'graveyard for imported cars' due to the strength of domestic automakers. In 2024, Hyundai sold 607 vehicles in Japan, up 24 percent from the previous year. During the same period, the country's total EV sales declined by 33 percent to 59,736 units, according to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association. In the first half of 2025, Hyundai sold 438 units, equivalent to 70 percent of all sales made in 2024, while the overall EV market contracted another 7 percent year on year. Hyundai already supports a domestic fan club with over 122,000 members in Korea, and plans to back the newly formed Japanese group, too. It sees the club as a channel for collecting local feedback, better understanding consumer preferences and expanding brand awareness. 'We aim to grow Hyundai's global fandom, not just in Japan, but wherever Hyundai customers are,' a company official said. 'By listening to our customers, we hope to amplify Hyundai's unique values and deliver a better ownership experience.'
Korea Herald
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
Hyundai Motor Deploys Zero-emission ELEC CITY TOWN Bus on Japan's Yakushima Island to Lead Clean Public Transport Transition
SEOUL, South Korea and YAKUSHIMA, Japan, April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor Company today held a handover ceremony to deliver Hyundai ELEC CITY TOWN electric buses to Tanegashima Yakushima Kotsu, a regional transportation and tourism service provider operated by the Iwasaki Group in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. The initiative marks a significant step in transitioning to zero-emission public transport on Yakushima Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The event was attended by Jaehoon Chang, Vice Chair of Hyundai Motor Group; Toshiyuki Shimegi, CEO of Hyundai Mobility Japan; Yoshitaro Iwasaki, CEO of Iwasaki Group; and Koji Araki, Mayor of Yakushima. The handover follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in July 2024 between the two parties for the purchase of Hyundai ELEC City TOWN buses. "I am delighted to see Hyundai's ELEC City electric buses running here on Yakushima, contributing towards a cleaner island environment," said Hyundai Motor Group Vice Chair Jaehoon Chang. "Being part of Yakushima's zero-emission island initiative is a significant step towards achieving carbon neutrality on the island by 2050." Starting from June 2025, five Hyundai ELEC CITY TOWN buses will operate on Yakushima. These medium-sized, low-floor electric buses will be tailored to local conditions. They are equipped with a 145 kWh battery and a high-efficiency motor delivering a power output of up to 160 kW/217 PS. The buses are equipped with Vehicle Dynamics Control to ensure safe and stable driving on the island's mountainous roads, characterized by steep slopes and sharp curves. The buses also feature advanced battery management and cooling systems, optimized for Yakushima's hot and humid climate, enhancing charging performance, efficiency and driving range. On Sunday, April 20th, ahead of the handover ceremony, Hyundai Motor signed a partnership agreement for the use of electric vehicles on Yakushima. The agreement includes utilizing the ELEC CITY TOWN's Vehicle-to-Home capabilities to supply power to evacuation shelters and medical facilities during natural disasters such as typhoons or periods of heavy rainfall. Yakushima is located at the southwestern end of the Japanese archipelago and is known for its stunning natural scenery, often referred to as the 'Alps of the Ocean'. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the island is recognized as a leading eco-tourism destination, making emissions control essential for environmental preservation. Kagoshima Prefecture has designated Yakushima as a key area in its plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Yakushima aims to transition its vehicle fleet to primarily EVs as part of its aim to become a zero-emission island. Hyundai Motor anticipates that the ELEC CITY TOWN buses will contribute to Yakushima's carbon neutrality goals by providing a mobility solution that supports local sustainability efforts and reflects the needs of the community. This initiative aligns with Hyundai Motor's global vision of 'Progress for Humanity' and its ongoing commitment to building a more sustainable future.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Hyundai Motor makes first-ever delivery of electric buses in Japan
Hyundai Motor said on Monday it has delivered five electric buses to the transportation unit of Japan's Iwasaki Group , marking its first commercial electric bus delivery in the neighbouring country. The South Korean automaker held a delivery ceremony for the Elec City Town buses with Iwasaki Group in Yakushima, Kagoshima Prefecture. The units were delivered to Tanegashima-Yakushima Kotsu Co. under the Japanese group, reports Yonhap news agency. The ceremony was attended by around 80 participants, including Hyundai Motor Group Vice Chairman Chang Jae-hoon, Toshiyuki Shimegi, head of Hyundai Mobility Japan Co., and Iwasaki Group President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Yoshitaro Iwasaki. Chang highlighted the significance of Yakushima's environment for testing sustainable mobility solutions . "Yakushima is the kind of special environment where the value of mobility solutions truly shines," he said. "We hope to present a model of coexistence between environment, technology and the local community." Iwasaki expressed hope that the new electric buses would provide a new standard for the region's transport system. "We want to make the Elec City Town the new standard for local transportation and achieve a balance between environmental preservation and revitalization of the local economy," he said. Hyundai Motor signed a letter of intent with Iwasaki Group in July last year for the supply of the five medium-sized, low-floor Elec City Town electric buses. Powered by a 145 kilowatt-hour battery (kWh) and a high-efficiency motor, the vehicles are suited to operate in the ecologically sensitive Yakushima region, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site known for its ancient cedar forests and diverse plant ecosystems, according to Hyundai Motor. Kagoshima Prefecture has set a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and plans to transform Yakushima into a zero-emission island by transitioning vehicles on the island to electric or other carbon-free cars. On the previous day, Hyundai Motor signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement with the local government to promote the use of EVs on the island. The agreement includes utilizing the vehicle-to-home function of the Elec City Town to supply power to evacuation centres and medical facilities during natural disaster emergencies.
![[Photo News] Hyundai EV buses for Japan's UNESCO island](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwimg.heraldcorp.com%2Fnews%2Fcms%2F2025%2F04%2F21%2Fnews-p.v1.20250421.a4e85f845e6a4cf5b2e4e63cf577e31e_T1.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Korea Herald
21-04-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
[Photo News] Hyundai EV buses for Japan's UNESCO island
From left: Choi Nam-il, vice president of Hyundai Motor Company; Toshiyuki Shimegi, CEO of Hyundai Mobility Japan; Park Sang-hyeon and Chung Yoo-seok, executive vice presidents of Hyundai Motor Company; Chang Jae-hoon, vice chair of Hyundai Motor Group; Yoshitaro Iwasaki, CEO of Iwasaki Group; Takamitsu Iwasaki, vice president of Iwasaki Group; Koji Araki, mayor of Yakushima; and Masao Nishimura, CEO of Iwasaki Corporation, pose for a photo on the resort island of Yakushima in Kagoshima, Japan, on Monday, after Hyundai Motor donated five electric buses to the island. A designated UNESCO World Heritage site, Yakushima will see the buses connect the airport with attractions across the island, serving both residents and tourists as public transportation. (Hyundai Motor Group)
Associated Press
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
Hyundai Motor Deploys Zero-emission ELEC CITY TOWN Bus on Japan's Yakushima Island to Lead Clean Public Transport Transition
SEOUL, South Korea and YAKUSHIMA, Japan, April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor Company today held a handover ceremony to deliver Hyundai ELEC CITY TOWN electric buses to Tanegashima Yakushima Kotsu, a regional transportation and tourism service provider operated by the Iwasaki Group in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. The initiative marks a significant step in transitioning to zero-emission public transport on Yakushima Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The event was attended by Jaehoon Chang, Vice Chair of Hyundai Motor Group; Toshiyuki Shimegi, CEO of Hyundai Mobility Japan; Yoshitaro Iwasaki, CEO of Iwasaki Group; and Koji Araki, Mayor of Yakushima. The handover follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in July 2024 between the two parties for the purchase of Hyundai ELEC City TOWN buses. 'I am delighted to see Hyundai's ELEC City electric buses running here on Yakushima, contributing towards a cleaner island environment,' said Hyundai Motor Group Vice Chair Jaehoon Chang. 'Being part of Yakushima's zero-emission island initiative is a significant step towards achieving carbon neutrality on the island by 2050.' Starting from June 2025, five Hyundai ELEC CITY TOWN buses will operate on Yakushima. These medium-sized, low-floor electric buses will be tailored to local conditions. They are equipped with a 145 kWh battery and a high-efficiency motor delivering a power output of up to 160 kW/217 PS. The buses are equipped with Vehicle Dynamics Control to ensure safe and stable driving on the island's mountainous roads, characterized by steep slopes and sharp curves. The buses also feature advanced battery management and cooling systems, optimized for Yakushima's hot and humid climate, enhancing charging performance, efficiency and driving range. On Sunday, April 20th, ahead of the handover ceremony, Hyundai Motor signed a partnership agreement for the use of electric vehicles on Yakushima. The agreement includes utilizing the ELEC CITY TOWN's Vehicle-to-Home capabilities to supply power to evacuation shelters and medical facilities during natural disasters such as typhoons or periods of heavy rainfall. Yakushima is located at the southwestern end of the Japanese archipelago and is known for its stunning natural scenery, often referred to as the 'Alps of the Ocean'. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the island is recognized as a leading eco-tourism destination, making emissions control essential for environmental preservation. Kagoshima Prefecture has designated Yakushima as a key area in its plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Yakushima aims to transition its vehicle fleet to primarily EVs as part of its aim to become a zero-emission island. Hyundai Motor anticipates that the ELEC CITY TOWN buses will contribute to Yakushima's carbon neutrality goals by providing a mobility solution that supports local sustainability efforts and reflects the needs of the community. This initiative aligns with Hyundai Motor's global vision of 'Progress for Humanity' and its ongoing commitment to building a more sustainable future. About Hyundai Motor Company More information about Hyundai Motor and its products can be found at: or Newsroom: Media Hub by Hyundai View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Hyundai Motor Company
