New Delhi, January 29, 2008: Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL), the country’s second largest car manufacturer and the largest passenger car exporter, has taken on a new initiative to focus on the campaign for Global Warming by providing its SUV - Hyundai Tucson to noted environmentalists T. Srinivasa Rao and R. Gnanasekaran. Taking off in a Hyundai Tucson SUV, they have started on a global crusade to circle the world building awareness on environmental issues, primarily the effects of global warming on human health and habitats.

Hon’ble Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Dr K M Karunanidhi handed over the ceremonial keys and also flagged off the unique campaign to focus attention on global warming.

Carrying the message ‘Stop Global Warming and Save the Rainforest’, the crusaders will circle the globe, covering 30 countries and over 100,000 km, including the Amazon and African forests, in the Hyundai Tucson SUV. Their expedition will culminate at the United Nations in April 2009.

The Chief Minister spoke about the potential threats of global warming and the imperative to address the issue, praising the campaigners for their ardour and congratulating Hyundai for supporting them. Tamil Nadu Minister for Higher Education Mr K Ponmudy and Minister for Electricity Mr N Veeraswamy also echoed the sentiments, calling for greater public awareness of environmental issues.

Speaking on the occasion, Hyundai Motor India Managing Director Mr H S Lheem said: “Hyundai is privileged to be part of an effort to create awareness of the imminent hazards that global warming presents to human society. Young people like Srinivasa Rao and Gnanasekaran are to be congratulated for expending so much energy in this effort and we are happy to be able to support them. Hyundai has prioritised environment protection in its business as well, not only by implementing the strictest emission control measures in all its models, but also undertaking to install systems for more environment-friendly fuels such as CNG and LPG”

T. Srinivasa Rao and R. Gnanasekaran have been campaigning on environment and peace issues since 1986. This is their seventh global expedition. Their campaigns have been highly appreciated by successive UN Secretaries General -- Mr Perez de Cuellar, Dr Boutros Boutros Ghali and Mr Kofi Annan. The young crusaders have published a book, ‘Mission Save Earth’ on their efforts.

About HMIL
Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company, South Korea and is the second largest and the fastest growing car manufacturer in India. HMIL presently markets 34 variants of passenger cars across segments. The Santro in the B segment, Getz Prime, i10 in the B+ segment, the Accent and Verna in the C segment, the Elantra in the D segment, the Sonata Embera in the E segment and the Tucson in the SUV segment.

Hyundai Motor India, continuing its tradition of being the fastest growing passenger car manufacturer, registering total sales of 327,160 vehicles in the calendar year (CY) 2007, an increase of 9.2 percent over CY 2006. In the domestic market it clocked a growth of 7.6 percent as compared to 2006 with 200,412 units, while overseas sales grew by 11.8 percent, with exports of 126,748 units.

HMIL’s fully integrated state-of-the-art manufacturing plant near Chennai boast the most advanced production, quality and testing capabilities in the country. In continuation of its commitment to provide the Indian customer with global technology, HMIL is setting up its second plant, which will produce an additional 300,000 units per annum, raising HMIL’s total production capacity to 600,000 units per annum.

HMIL is investing to expand capacity in line with its positioning as HMC’s global export hub for compact cars. Apart from expansion of production capacity, HMIL plans to expand its dealer network, which will be increased from 230 to 300 this year.

The year 2007 has been a significant year for Hyundai Motor India. It achieved a significant milestone by rolling out the fastest 400,000th export car. Hyundai exports to over 73 countries globally; even as it plans to continue its thrust in existing export markets, it is gearing up to step up its foray into new markets. The year just ended also saw Hyundai Motor India attaining other milestones with the launch of the i10 and yet another path-breaking record in its young journey by rolling out the fastest 15,00,000th car.

The Hyundai Verna has bagged some of the most prestigious awards starting with the title of "Car of the Year 2007" by India`s leading automotive publication – Overdrive, the “Best Mid-size Car of the Year” award by the NDTV Profit C&B Awards 2007, the “Best Value for Money Car” by the CNBC Autocar Auto awards and ‘Performance Car of the Year 2007’ from Business Standard Motoring.

Last Year Sonata Embera won the ‘Executive Car of The Year 2006’ award from Business Standard Motoring Magazine and NDTV Profit – Car & Bike declared the Tucson as the ‘SUV of The Year 2006’. HMIL has also been awarded the benchmark ISO 14001 certification for its sustainable environment management practices.