After Denmark, US is next country to get fuel-cell Hyundai Tucson

Roughly a year after Hyundai became the first carmaker to mass-produce fuel-cell vehicles with the Tucson Fuel Cell model--first for the European market in February 2013--the Korean carmaker will next offer the vehicle to the US market in early 2014.

\"Hydrogen-powered fuel-cell electric vehicles represent the next generation of zero-emission vehicle technology, so we\'re thrilled to be a leader in offering the mass-produced, federally certified Tucson Fuel Cell to retail customers,\" said Hyundai Motor America president and chief executive John Krafcik. \"The superior range and fast-fill refueling speed of our Tucson Fuel Cell vehicle contrast with the lower range and slow-charge characteristics of competing battery electric vehicles. We think fuel-cell technology will increase the adoption rate of zero-emission vehicles, and we\'ll all share the environmental benefits.\"

For the US market, the Tucson Fuel Cell will initially be offered in the Los Angeles and Orange County region for $499 per month for 36 months, following a down payment of $2,999.

To address the concerns of prospective customers on how much refueling a hydrogen-powered car would cost, Hyundai Motor America is throwing in unlimited free hydrogen refueling as part of the vehicle\'s Hyundai Assurance program.

Another value-added service to be given to Tucson Fuel Cell owners is that they will receive Hyundai\'s \"At Your Service\" valet program. So, should a Tucson Fuel Cell need to be serviced by a dealership, a Hyundai dealer will pick up the vehicle and provide a temporary replacement car, then return the customer\'s vehicle after it has been serviced at no charge.

Production for the US-market Tucson Fuel Cell vehicles will begin at Hyundai\'s Ulsan, South Korea, assembly plant in February 2014.