Hyundai Motor Group is now Audi's fuel cell partner

Hyundai Motor Group (Group) and AUDI AG (Audi) have announced a multi-year cross-licensing patent partnership covering a wide range of topics, components and technologies developed in the Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) field.

Goals

As part of a new collaboration, the world's fifth-largest automaker group and the German premium car manufacturer will work together to develop FCEV in order to develop the automotive industry in a sustainable future direction.

The cross-license agreement was signed between Hyundai Motor Company, the group's flagship automotive division, and Audi, and also covers and will benefit the subsidiaries, operations, and parent organizations of both companies, including, but not limited to, Kia Motors Corporation and Audi's parent company Volkswagen AG.

The partnership between Hyundai Motor Group and Audi will leverage the companies' collective R&D capabilities in fuel cell technology to make them more marketable in the FCEV market.

Audi, which is responsible for the development of fuel cell technology within the Volkswagen Group, will also be able to take full advantage of Hyundai's FCEV supply chain.

“This agreement is yet another example of Hyundai's strong commitment to a sustainable strategy for the future, while at the same time developing another technology demanded by consumers. With hydrogen-powered vehicles, truly zero emissions can be achieved,” said Eizun Chung, vice chairman of Hyundai Motor Company.

“The fuel cell is an integral part of the electric drive and thus becomes a powerful asset in our technology portfolio for a trouble-free development in the future,” said Peter Mertens, Member of the Technical Development Board of AUDI AG.

Patent partnership

Hyundai Motor Group and Audi also agreed to explore additional opportunities to take the next step in their closer collaboration.

Alliance Opens New Doors for Fuel Cell Components Business

Hyundai Motor Group also plans to strengthen its competitiveness in the fuel cell component industry by tapping into new business opportunities created by the new partnership. In 2017, Mobis became the first company in the world to build an integrated manufacturing system for major FCEV components.

Long ranges and fast refueling make hydrogen an attractive future energy source for electric vehicles.

Hyundai Motor Group, which is leading the deployment of the FCEV, aims to develop this direction by exceeding the expectations of traditional vehicles in terms of safety, reliability and range.