Hyundai CEO Talks Rev-Matching Manual, Green Cars

Hyundai USA CEO John Krafcik Tweeted with fans and the media yesterday. Little of the company’s future plans were fully exposed, but he shared a few musings about the Korean car company’s upcoming products.

First, the brand’s Blue Drive hybrid system is ready to make the move from the Sonata to other vehicles. When pressed for more details about the next possible Hyundai hybrid, Krafcik said Hyundai is considering all vehicles to get the lithium polymer battery based Blue Drive system.

Krafcik also said hydrogen fuel cell technology is Hyundai’s main focus for zero-emission vehicles, but that a battery-based electric vehicle is also something Hyundai will field in the future. The automakers first fuel-cell vehicle is expected to hit the U.S. market as soon as 2015.

When asked about past rumors that Hyundai could add rev-matching technology similar to that found in the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and Nissan 370Z, he said “That’s a great idea!!! Wish I could say more, but @train816 (Hyundai PR boss Jim Trainor) would kill me.” When pressed further on the subject, the CEO said only that “Great minds think alike.”

SEE ALSO: Hyundai Rev-Matching Manual Transmission Rumored

Finally, Krafcik hinted at the brand’s preparations for this years SEMA Show. In particular, the CEO expressed that company’s “crafty Veloster team has a few tricks up its sleeve,” pointing to another appearance of the funky three-door at this years event in Las Vegas. Additionally, CEO brought up the SEMA show when discussing the potential for Hyundai performance parts division similar to Toyota’s TRD or Nissan’s NISMO divisions.

SEE ALSO: Hyundai CEO Named 2013 Automotive Exec of the Year

Having just launched the seven-passenger Santa Fe, Hyundai is focusing on launching the new 2014 Hyundai Equus, and is likely to launch a new generation of the Hyundai Genesis sedan later this year, which will finally be available in all-wheel drive.