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China sticking to its guns on EVs for the future

Automakers are obviously free to develop whatever next-gen, zero-emissions tech that they want. However, if a company wants to get on the good side of the Chinese government, that strategy better include some plug-in vehicles. The authorities there are lending major support to plug-ins at the moment, and its forcing the auto industry to play along. According to Bloomberg, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, and BMW are all launching dedicated EV brands with their joint venture partners, and as many as 40 electric models could hit the Chinese market this year alone. However, analysts don't think the vehicles are going to sell well. Instead, the launches are essentially a way for companies to play nice with the government and help get the approval to build factories in the country. Take Toyota as an example. The company is pushing the future of hydrogen hard with promotional films for the Mirai and engineers talking down fast-charging EVs. Still, the Japanese automaker is getting ready to launch two EV brands in China with its joint venture partners, according to Bloomberg. China's push for alternative fuels has been happening for a while, but it really kicked into high gear last year. The government has set a goal to improve fleet-wide economy by 40 percent by the end of the decade in order to spend less importing oil and for the population's health. The plan has shown some success so far with hybrid and EV sales growing early in 2015. Related Video: News Source: BloombergImage Credit: Kin Cheung / AP Photo Government/Legal Green BMW Hyundai Toyota Volkswagen Green Culture Technology Electric tax incentives chinese government

Hyundai leased 70 Tucson fuel-cell vehicles in first year

Since going on sale in the early summer of 2014, Hyundai has leased around 70 of its hydrogen fuel-cell-powered Tucson CUVs. That's the number that Mike O'Brien, Hyundai's vice president of corporate and product planning, revealed at a green vehicle event in Huntington Beach, CA, this week. There's a reason for the low number, O'Brien said. "Of course, everybody asks 'Why 70?' and it's basically tied to the number of fuel stations that are available," he said. "We were the first to actually pass over ownership of the vehicle, it's not a test program. It helps people put their money on the table, and they lease the car from us and it's their car. The customers that we've leased the vehicle to are ones that live close to a fuel station. "Right now there is less than 10 in the state of California. By the end of this calendar year, there should be in the mid-20s. And then, of course, under Gov. Jerry Brown's $200 million towards construction, I believe about 100 stations [will come online] through the end of the next couple of years. As those stations get built out, we're taking more and more applications for vehicle sales." In January 2014, O'Brien told AutoblogGreen that 88,000 people had expressed an interest in owning a fuel-cell Tucson. O'Brien said that Hyundai needs the customers to be close to a hydrogen station so that driving the car feels similar to what they're used to doing. "We just want to make sure there is a satisfying experience of ownership, and that's the most important thing, to make that their ownership experience matches what they've experienced with a gasoline car," he said. The Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell can be leased for $499 a month, which includes free refueling. For the 2016 model year, the Tucson FCV gets HomeLink connectivity in the rear-view mirror and two new exterior colors, Hydro Blue and Chromium Silver, in addition to the already available Winter White. 2016 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell Continues To Attract Zero-Emissions-Focused Customers With New Colors And Features World's First Mass-Produced Fuel Cell Vehicle Available For $499 per month Lease Includes Unlimited Free Hydrogen Refueling and At Your Service Valet Maintenance FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., May 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai's zero-emissions, hydrogen-powered Tucson Fuel Cell vehicle continues to satisfy and attract new customers focused on high-versatility and clean transportation.

Hyundai HND-12 Enduro Concept shows Seoul a motorcycle-inspired CUV

While the New York Auto Show is grabbing our attention with major debuts, Seoul, South Korea, is celebrating its own automotive event. There, Hyundai is showing off a new three-door crossover concept called the HND-12 Enduro that's inspired by long-distance, off-road motorcycles. Despite its rugged inspiration, this concept isn't made to get dirty, Instead, the Enduro is aimed at folks living in cities "with energetic, athletic lifestyles," according to Hyundai. The result looks like a Veloster after spending a lot of time at the gym that's mixed with a smaller take on the Intrado concept. To fit Hyundai's modern style, the Enduro wears a hexagonal grille but features a polished aluminum blade at the bottom that wraps around to a the muscular, black-cladded fenders. Even with its higher ride height, the concept looks a bit more like a sporty three-door hatch than a CUV in profile. The roof has just the slightest curve and leads to a tiny rear window, which is outlined almost completely by the taillights. To lend a little more utility, side steps near the rear wheels make it easier to load the top, but good luck finding much room up there to carry anything. Although, one neat feature is a sliding storage drawer hidden in the bumper just below the hatch. Inside, the Enduro is driver-focused with the center console and dashboard enveloping the pilot. Hyundai designers also try to bring in some motorcycle cues with a steering wheel inspired by the hand moldings of a road bike. While purely a concept for now, power from the Enduro comes from Hyundai's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and it's linked to a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox. Related Video: HYUNDAI MOTOR INTRODUCES 'ENDURO' LIFESTYLE CUV CONCEPT AT 2015 SEOUL MOTOR SHOW Urban crossover utility vehicle harmonizes with energetic, athletic lifestyles 'The Professional Gear' for drivers wanting to escape the ordinary Design concept is expressed in rugged, versatile yet sophisticated form language April 2, 2015 - Hyundai Motor is celebrating the world premiere of its all-new design concept, the 'Enduro' lifestyle urban crossover utility vehicle (CUV), at the 11th Seoul Motor Show today (Thursday). The name 'Enduro' is derived from 'Endurance.' Also, Enduro visually combines SUV looks with rally motorcycles which compete in the world's toughest rally events. The Enduro is designed as the perfect partner for individuals living in the modern city with energetic, athletic lifestyles.