Hyundai going with AeroVironment for dealership PHEV chargers

Hyundai will partner with AeroVironment as the supplier for charging stations at dealers for the 2016 Sonata Plug-in Hybrid. The 240-volt chargers will be able to top up the PHEV in less than three hours. Customers can also order AeroVironment's home chargers directly from the automaker's showrooms.

AeroVironment is a veteran to working with automakers on charging solutions and has experience partnering with Fiat, Ford, Nissan, and BMW. The company also installed a network of locations along the I-5 corridor in Oregon.

Customers can already buy the Sonata PHEV in ten states, including California, for a starting price of $35,435 (after $835 destination but before any tax incentives). The sedan has a total output of 202 horsepower from its 2.0-liter four-cylinder and electric motor. The 9.8-kWh lithium-polymer battery offers 27 miles of electric range and an EPA-estimated 99 miles per gallon equivalent.

Hyundai dealers might have more green cars on the lot to use these chargers in the coming years. The company reportedly has a project codenamed AE under development, and rumor indicates that hybrid, PHEV, and EV models could be on the way.

Hyundai Motor America Picks AeroVironment to Provide Dealer Charging Stations for the All-new 2016 Sonata Plug-in Hybrid Model

• AeroVironment to provide reliable and easy-to-use EV charging stations in Hyundai dealerships
• Hyundai becomes the seventh major auto manufacturer to choose AeroVironment as its preferred dealer charging station provider
• Hyundai drivers have the option to purchase AeroVironment's portable TurboCord charging system or its wall-mounted EVSE-RS charging station

SIMI VALLEY, Calif., Nov. 24, 2015 – Hyundai Motor America has selected AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) as the preferred provider for charging system installation at its dealerships across North America for its all-new 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid. Hyundai is the seventh plug-in electric vehicle (EV) auto manufacturer to choose AeroVironment as one of its suppliers.

The 2016 Sonata Plug-in Hybrid comes with a high-capacity lithium-polymer hybrid battery system that delivers an all-electric range of 27 miles before switching to hybrid mode. The Sonata Plug-in Hybrid also comes with a lifetime hybrid batterywarranty.

The AeroVironment 240-volt TurboCord and the EVSE-RS charging station can charge the Sonata Plug-in Hybrid in less than three hours versus the approximate nine hours needed using a standard 120-volt charging cable. AeroVironment's UL-listed products can be installed indoors or outdoors, making it easy to locate the station in the most convenient location.

"Having your own charging station right in your garage or driveway gives Hybrid and EV drivers a special kind of freedom. It makes charging a car as easy as charging a cell phone," said Ken Karklin, AeroVironment senior vice president and general manager of its Efficient Energy Systems business segment. "AeroVironment's portfolio of EV charging solutions gives theHyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid and other EVs the benefits and convenience of faster charging and cleaner driving at home and on the road."

Hyundai owners can purchase AeroVironment home chargers and installation when purchasing their vehicles at the Hyundai dealership. AeroVironment-certified, licensed electricians, who are also specially qualified to support EV drivers, perform on-site installation and services.

AeroVironment is the preferred integrated home charging solution supplier for seven global automakers and their growing fleets of plug-in electric vehicles. The company's broad line of charging systems includes the 240-volt TurboCord and the EVSE-RS home charging station, which can be ordered online. More information on AeroVironment's EV charging solutions can be found at www.evsolutions.com.

About AeroVironment

AeroVironment is a technology solutions provider that designs, develops, produces, supports and operates an advanced portfolio of electric transportation solutions and electric-powered Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). AeroVironment's comprehensive EV charging solutions include the portable, dual-charging (120/240V) TurboCord, EV home charging, public charging, fast charging, data collection, grid-integrated communications and complete installation, training and support services for consumers, automakers, utilities, government agencies and businesses. AeroVironment's industrial electric vehicle charging systems support thousands of electric materials handling vehicles in mission-critical supply chains for Fortune 500 enterprises. AeroVironment's power cycling and test systems provide EV developers and EV battery manufacturers with market-leading simulation and cycling capabilities. The company's electric-powered, hand-launched unmanned aircraft systems generate and process data to deliver powerful insight, on-demand, to people engaged in military, public safety and commercial activities around the world. More information is available at www.avinc.com and www.evsolutions.com.

About Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 830 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Blue Link Connected Care provides owners of Hyundai models equipped with the Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car care services complimentary for one year with enrollment. These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service scheduling.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are made on the basis of current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the activities of competitors; failure of the markets in which we operate to grow; failure to expand into new markets; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology with current products; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on 10-Q. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Hyundai Plans to Launch New Hybrid-only Brand: AE

Korea Times reports that Hyundai will launch a new brand tentatively called AE — which may stand for “alternative energy.” The new brand will debut in January 2016 and will focus on hybrids, plug-in hybrids, fully electric cars, and even a fuel cell vehicle. “The first model of Hyundai’s new green car brand will be a hybrid, followed by plug-in hybrid and battery electric editions, aiming to become the world’s first green car with HEV, PHEV and EV types,” the newspaper said. “Such models are part of our vision, suggesting having 22 green cars in our lineup by 2020,” a Hyundai Motor spokesman says.

Hyundai believes that its new hybrid will outperform the Toyota Prius. Like the Prius, the upcoming hybrid will be five-door hatchback equipped with a 1.6-liter Kappa gasoline direct injection engine, an electric motor, and a transmission tailored for hybrid operation.  That car will take on the dominant Prius the same way the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima challenge the Toyota Camry Hybrid. To help it challenge the Prius, the new Hyundai hybrid will pack an internal combustion engine that boasts 156 horsepower. Total power, with a 9.8 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery and a 50-kilowatt electric motor, is 205 horsepower. Sister company Kia is also about to introduce its own Prius fighter, the DE sedan.

Hyundai Motor Group vice chairman Chung Eui-sun said earlier this year that plug-in hybrids are the answer to the future survival of the company and the industry. The company is expected to offer a plug-in hybrid version of its popular Sonata sedan sometime in 2016. Prototypes began testing in September and have received positive reviews for their performance in both EV and hybrid modes.

Earlier this year, Hyundai and Kia announced they would be bringing eight new alternative fueled vehicles to market between 2016 and 2018, including four hybrids, two plug-in hybrids, one battery electric vehicle, and one fuel cell vehicle. “Of course it would be more eco-friendly if we could have the full electric vehicles because they emit no greenhouse gas at all. But given the situation that EVs are pricier and generally cannot run a long distance on a single charge, PHEVs are considered the optimal product in the Korean market at the moment,” an industry observers told Korea Times.

Source: Korea Times

2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid starts at $26,825

The pieces are coming together for exactly what's on offer in the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrids. We were able to drive the regular gas-electric and plug-in hybrid versions and were impressed with the feel behind the wheel, but before you know the price, it's tough to tell if the car makes any real sense. While the price for the PHEV is still shrouded in mystery, we at least now know how much it'll cost for the non-plugSonata hybrid: $26,825, including $825 for destination. That's the same as the 2015 hybrid model. For comparison, the 2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid starts at $25,675 and the 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid comes in at $30,125.

That's the base cost, which gets you the cloth interior and projector headlights. The 2016 Sonata Hybrid Limited starts at $30,100 ($900 more than before), which ups the 16-inch alloy wheels to 17-inch alloys and magically turns the interior to leather and the headlights to HID Xenon. If you want 60/40 split-folding rear seats, you'll need to opt for the Limited version.

You can also tack on the Limited Ultimate Package for $4,500. The Limited Ultimate Package further improves the car's safety (with lane departure warning and forward collision warning) and sound (with the Infinity premium audio system). The LUP also adds a panoramic sunroof and an eight-inch nav system. Overall, there are seven exterior colors and five interior options. The PHEV price has not yet been announced, but whatever it is, Hyundai has said it expects the car to qualify for a $4,919 tax credit from the federal government.