Report: Hyundai Canada Launches Its Own Cash-for-Clunkers Program

In the absence of any real movement by the Canadian government to establish a cash-for-clunkers program like the one that is currently boosting auto sales in the U.S., Hyundai Canada has just announced its own incentive program to get older, less-environmentally responsible cars off the road and get you into a Hyundai.

Currently through the Canadian government’s Retire Your Ride program, those who scrap their car are offered “green” incentives like a public transit pass, a membership to a car sharing program or a $300 cash rebate on the purchase of a 2004 or newer vehicle. That’s hardly as enticing as the $4,500 (almost $5,000 CDN) the U.S. government has on the table to get people in to more fuel-efficient cars.

Hyundai’s Clean Air Commitment acts as a top-up to the Canadian government’s program, and offers an additional $500 to $1,000 of “Clean Air Cash” off any 1995 and older vehicle that is in running condition and has been registered and insured for the last six months.

“Hyundai is committed to clean air in Canada,” said Steve Kelleher, president and CEO, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. “Our Clean Air Commitment is about our responsibility to deliver a harmonious balance between vehicles and the environment; it’s about clean air now and for the future. Reducing vehicle emissions has a direct impact on the air we breathe, so helping to remove older, more-polluting vehicles from the road just makes sense. It’s something we can do today to immediately impact our environment. We think that’s pretty smart.”

Currently Hyundai is committed to becoming an environmentally-responsible leader it he auto industry and has set a goal of reaching a fleet average of 35 mpg (6.7 liters per 100km) by 2015 – five years ahead of what will be required by upcoming U.S. and Canadian legislation. Hyundai also plans to bring a hybrid version of the upcoming next-generation Sonata to market using the company’s lithium polymer battery technology.

Official release after the jump:

HYUNDAI CANADA UNVEILS INDUSTRY-LEADING CLEAN AIR COMMITMENT

FIRST CAR COMPANY IN CANADA TO TOP-UP GOVERNMENT VEHICLE SCRAPPAGE
PROGRAM

Markham, Ontario, August 19, 2009 – As part of its environmental goal
to help clean the air we breathe today and into the future, Hyundai Auto
Canada Corp. today announced the Clean Air Commitment – a financial
top-up of up to $1,000 on the federal government’s scrappage program
whose aim is to get the oldest, worst-polluting vehicles off the road
and encourage Canadians to select more sustainable transportation
alternatives. While programs such as this are gaining prominence for
their effectiveness worldwide, Hyundai is the first auto manufacturer in
Canada to launch such a top-up program.

“Hyundai is committed to clean air in Canada,” said Steve Kelleher,
president and CEO, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. “Our Clean Air Commitment
is about our responsibility to deliver a harmonious balance between
vehicles and the environment; it’s about clean air now and for the
future. Reducing vehicle emissions has a direct impact on the air we
breathe, so helping to remove older, more-polluting vehicles from the
road just makes sense. It’s something we can do today to immediately
impact our environment. We think that’s pretty smart.”

“Worldwide, we’re seeing car manufacturers and governments working
together to reduce harmful emissions to clean up the air we breathe,”
said Peter Corbyn, president and co-founder of Green Nexxus. “Hyundai
has taken a leadership role in this arena. We hope other car
manufacturers will follow suit and do their part to help get more
fuel-efficient vehicles on the road.”

Depending on the vehicle, Hyundai’s Clean Air Commitment offers
between $500 to $1,000 of additional savings to top up the incentives
available through the federal government’s Retire Your Ride program,
which offers $300 for qualifying vehicles as well as other incentives
towards sustainable transportation. This “Clean Air Cash” is
applied to the purchase of a new, more fuel-efficient Hyundai, and is in
addition to the company’s current incentive programs.

“With Hyundai topping up all government incentives, we hope to
encourage a significant removal of old, polluting vehicles from our
roads,” said Kelleher. “And because our Clean Air Cash incentive is
combinable with our existing consumer offer – the Hyundai Smart
Advantage – we’re making it even easier for Canadians to get into a
new, less-polluting vehicle.”

Hyundai has a stated goal of environmental leadership in the auto
industry and of redefining the Hyundai brand as a technological
innovator. As part of the Korean manufacturer’s Blue Drive initiative,
Hyundai has committed to reduce harmful emissions and produce
environmentally-friendly technology, and will bring to market a family
of fuel-efficient and eco-friendly cars and products. The first product
to Canada will be the hybrid Sonata, which uses Hyundai’s
industry-leading lithium polymer battery technology. The company also
aims to lead the way in fuel efficiency by achieving a fleet average of
6.7 km per 100 km (35 miles per gallon) by 2015 – five years ahead of
the US and the expected Canadian governments’ 2020 deadlines.

“In addition to developing world-leading environmental technology for
the future, we are doing everything possible to help provide clean air
to Canadians today,” said Kelleher. “By investing unsparingly in
our R&D resources, Hyundai is leading the fight for a better
environment.”

Clean Air Facts:
● When polled, clean air was listed as the third most important
environmental concern facing Canadians, well ahead of big-name issues
like climate change and global warming.**
● Because Canada has had a pattern of high energy consumption, we
are the second highest per capita emitter of greenhouse gases in the
world.
● 1995 model year and older vehicles produce 19 times more
smog-forming pollutants than 2004 and newer models.*
● These older vehicles make up one quarter of vehicles being
driven by Canadians and can generate as much as half of the smog-forming
pollutants caused by personal vehicle use.*

About Hyundai Canada
Hyundai Auto Canada Corp., established in 1983 and headquartered in
Markham Ontario, is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea.
Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout Canada by Hyundai Auto
Canada and are sold and serviced through more than 175 dealerships
nationwide.