[Digital Times, Kim Yang-hyuk] According to the analysis, the localization rate of parts of hydrogen-fueled electric car produced by Hyundai Motors for the first time in the world could fall to the difficulty of supplying vehicles. Toyota as Japan`s second-largest shareholder & Hyundai has overtaken Hyundai Motor in production volume, making hydrogen cars the future choice for large European parts companies such as Germany, and the burden of domestic small and medium sized companies will be.

According to the Ministry of Environment on December 3, the number of hydrogen cars that received subsidies as of November this year was 175 (cumulative). The number of hydrogen cars registered by November this year was 49, which was only 37% of the target number of cars (130 cars) this year. Although there is a month left, it seems to be inadequate to actually fill the target number.

This is not only for domestic market. Hyundai has not yet sold 1,000 cars to the world market for five years. In the meantime, Toyota, which came out late, has already sold thousands of units with support from the Japanese government.

Hyundai, which first started mass production of hydrogen cars, was eventually pulled out of the economies of scale as it gained more than double the sales volume. Toyota has increased its production of hydrogen cars to 3,000 units this year. Hyundai plans to increase its production to about 3,700 cars next year when it releases the next-generation hydrogen car FE, but it is unlikely to catch up with Toyota.

The localization rate of Hyundai Tucson ix hydrogen cars is more than 95%. The next-generation hydrogen car FE (project name) to be released next year is up to 98%. A senior official of Hyundai Motor explained that it has localized everything except one part. It is estimated that there are more than 300 Hyundai car hydrogen car suppliers, most of which are small and medium-sized enterprises.

Meanwhile, domestic parts makers` position will be greatly reduced. The world`s leading parts manufacturer German Robert developed the ECU and succeeded in testing the vehicle as global giant parts companies are making full-fledged efforts to develop hydrogen car parts. Germany ZF, Canada Magna, Japan Denso is working with Mercedes-Benz to develop a hydrogen car. Continental is also developing parts for hydrogen cars.

"We do not include the R & D investment cost in the product price, so the big overseas companies will have an advantage in price competitiveness with domestic and foreign small and medium-sized parts companies," said Mr. Hyun. "The localization rate of parts can be gradually decreased because we have to use overseas parts, so the number of vehicles should be increased so that small and medium sized companies can realize economies of scale."

By Kim Yang Hyuk mj@


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