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Hyundai Selects IMPCO To Develop Hydrogen System

August 08, 2000 by Jeff Shepard

IMPCO Technologies Inc. (Irvine, CA) has announced that Hyundai Motor Co. (Korea) has selected IMPCO as its Tier 1 supplier to develop hydrogen storage and fuel-delivery systems for Hyundai's prototype Santa Fe fuel cell-powered sport utility vehicles.The Hyundai fuel cell vehicle will utilize IMPCO's advanced hydrogen storage technology and IMPCO's vehicle system integration expertise. The hydrogen systems will be developed by IMPCO's new Advanced Vehicle Concepts Center located in Lake Forest, CA, which opened last month.The accelerated development program is scheduled to be complete in 60 days in preparation for a vehicle display this fall at the new California Fuel Cell Project (formerly Partnership) facility currently being constructed in Sacramento, CA. The California Fuel Cell Project includes Hyundai, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, Nissan, Volkswagen, Honda, fuel providers, and both California and Federal government agencies as members.In addition to the IMPCO fuel cell system, Hyundai's fuel cell SUV, Santa Fe, will be equipped with the fuel cell system supplied by United Technologies Corp. (Hartford, CT) and the electric drivetrains will be supplied by Enova Systems (Torrance, CA).Syed Hussain, vice president and general manager of IMPCO's technology and automotive OEM California division, said, "IMPCO's technology advances in direct, on-board vehicle hydrogen fuel storage and delivery systems offer the automakers an economical and near-term commercialization solution by providing the lowest cost and best efficiency for the fuel cell system. IMPCO is very pleased to have been chosen to participate with Hyundai and their prominent technology partners."