Hyundai Hope on Wheels Launches 2009 Tour with Special Events in Alabama and New York

Ceremonies at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and the New York International
Auto Show Mark Launch of `09 Tour and Total Donation of $1.3 Million to
Pediatric Cancer Research
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
Hyundai Motor America and its dealers launched the 2009 Hyundai Hope on Wheels
Tour this week with special kick-off events at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing
Alabama (HMMA) and the Hyundai booth at the New York International Auto Show.
The 2009 Hyundai Hope on Wheels Tour will visit 30 children`s hospitals across
the country to donate $1.3 million to support pediatric cancer research.

On Tuesday, April 7th, representatives from Hyundai and Hope on Wheels gathered
at Hyundai`s U.S. manufacturing plant in Montgomery, Alabama to greet the 2009
Hyundai Hope on Wheels Santa Fe vehicle as it rolled off the assembly line. In
addition to speeches and a ceremonial check presentation of the $1.3 million
donation to pediatric cancer research, 11-year-old Samantha Heim, the Hyundai
Hope on Wheels national youth ambassador, led children from the local chapter of
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in a special Handprint Ceremony. During the
Handprint Ceremony, which Hope on Wheels conducts at each hospital it visits,
children place their handprints in colorful paint on the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe,
the official vehicle of the Hope on Wheels Tour, to commemorate their brave
battles with pediatric cancer.

Following the kick-off event at HMMA, the first official hospital donation event
and Handprint Ceremony of the year will take place today in the Hyundai booth at
the New York International Auto Show. Hyundai Hope on Wheels will donate
$100,000 to the Hope & Heroes program at Morgan Stanley Children`s Hospital at
NewYork-Presbyterian to support the research of two pediatric cancer
specialists: Dr. Jennifer Levine and Dr. Maria-Luisa Sulis. Children receiving
treatment at the hospital and their families will join Hope on Wheels youth
ambassador Samantha Heim and dealers from Hyundai`s Eastern Region at the auto
show to add their own handprints to the Hope on Wheels Santa Fe.

"On behalf of Hyundai dealers across the country, Hope on Wheels is proud to
launch the 2009 Tour with these special events that honor the children facing
pediatric cancer and the unwavering dedication of the doctors who care for
them," said Oscar Leeser, president of the national Hyundai Hope on Wheels
Dealer Board, and El Paso, Texas Hyundai dealer.

"Hope on Wheels grew from our dealers` personal commitment to fighting pediatric
cancer, and it`s incredible to see how all branches of Hyundai`s operations have
come together to show their support and celebrate the children, families and
doctors on the front lines of the battle against this terrible disease," said
John Krafcik, CEO of Hyundai Motor America.

This year Hyundai Hope on Wheels marks its 11th year of commitment to pediatric
cancer research efforts. Hyundai and its dealers have donated more than $12.4
million to children`s hospitals nationwide and collected hundreds of handprints
from children fighting pediatric cancer. More information and the complete list
of 30 stops on the 2009 Hyundai Hope on Wheels Tour is available at
www.hyundaihopeonwheels.org.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary
of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the
United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more
than 791 dealerships nationwide.

HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS

Hyundai Hope on Wheels is the united effort of all 791 Hyundai dealers across
the U.S. to raise awareness about pediatric cancer and celebrate the lives of
children battling the disease. Hyundai and its dealers have donated more than
$12.4 million to pediatric cancer research and is an independent 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization.

Allison & Partners
Abbie Rumery
Office: 310-496-4456
Mobile: 626-644-0174
abbie@allisonpr.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009