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Photo = Yonhap news |
[Alpha Biz= Reporter Kim Jisun] Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun has officially mentioned the possibility of hydrogen cooperation with Japan's Toyota Group for the first time.
Chairman Chung made the remark on the 24th during a press meeting at the Toyota Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, following the '2024 World Rally Championship (WRC)'. He said, "We are discussing hydrogen and will cooperate well together." Although there had been talks about potential hydrogen collaboration between the two companies after several meetings between Chung and Toyota Group Chairman Akio Toyoda, this is the first time Chung has directly mentioned cooperation on hydrogen.
Earlier, on the final day of the WRC Japan Rally, Chairman Chung visited the Toyota Gazoo Racing team service park and met with Chairman Akio Toyoda. The two had last met a month earlier on the 27th of the previous month at the 'Hyundai N x Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival' at the Everland Speedway in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.
The 2024 WRC, which concluded with the Japanese rally, saw Hyundai World Rally Team's Thierry Neuville win the driver's title, while Toyota claimed the manufacturer's title.
Hyundai had expected to win both the driver and manufacturer titles, but Toyota overtook them in the final 17th round when Hyundai's Ott Tänak had to retire due to car damage. Chairman Chung expressed gratitude, saying, "Thank you so much for the congratulations. The teams did an excellent job, and I am very proud that Thierry won first place." He added, "In sports, there is always a winner and a loser, so we could win or lose. I’m proud, and I’m grateful to our researchers at the Namyang research center for their efforts, which contributed to these results."
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
