Safety, at the center of "Progress for Humanity"
6 minute read
We’re moving quickly towards the future of mobility like never before. At the center of this change lies an indefinite subject – humans. Thus, to achieve “Progress for Humanity”, future mobility solutions must be built upon a strong commitment to safety. In this article, we look at our unwavering dedication to safety and the accolades we have earned.
Safety first
From technological advancements and societal shifts to environmental concerns, the automotive industry is changing ever-so rapidly.
Driver assistance technology has become commonplace over the past few years and many automakers are investing heavily in autonomous technologies to revolutionize driving experience, enabling various lifestyle activities to take place whilst in the vehicle. What’s more, the introduction of battery and hydrogen-based mobility has resulted in the continuous expansion of new industries and infrastructures.
However, these innovations can only become a reality if they are built upon a strong commitment to safety.
It’s about recognizing the priceless value of life and the principle of always making the best effort, which drives us to place safety of our customers as the foremost priority. - Euisun Chung, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair
The evolution of safety standards
The history of the automotive industry is inevitably intertwined with the history of safety. Built as a means of transportation and a medium that connects people, even the slightest mistake can put us at risk of injuries. Thus, the evolution of automotive safety has been underpinned by a constant effort to keep up with the need for safety advancements. Even today, we need to be prepared for unforeseen accidents that may occur as our transportation environment becomes more intricate and complex day after day.
Hyundai conducts 100 crash tests and around 4,000 hours of result analysis per model to achieve top-notch safety level.
Through these processes, Hyundai is constantly developing and further improving technologies to protect passengers from various external impacts and minimize injuries. This unwavering commitment has earned Hyundai various accolades from leading safety organizations worldwide, a testament to the high level of safety, and maturity of our electric vehicles.
Highest Safety Rating achievement in the U.S.
The IONIQ 5, Hyundai’s first dedicated EV lineup, was awarded the highest Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2022. The IIHS is a non-profit organization that annually evaluates vehicle crash safety and crash prevention performance on the U.S. market. Vehicles with the best safety performance are awarded a TSP+ rating, while those that perform at a good level are given a TSP rating.
To qualify for TSP+, a vehicle must receive the highest rating of 'good' in all six crash safety categories, including driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraints. The vehicle must also receive a rating of 'advanced' or better in the front crash prevention system tests (vehicle-vehicle, vehicle-pedestrian) and a rating of 'acceptable' or better in the headlight assessment for all trims.
This year, IIHS has announced that it has strengthened its assessment requirements. It demands better side crash protection and newly includes the nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention test. In terms of headlights, the requirement has become more stringent. Despite this change in requirements, the Hyundai PALISADE has been awarded the TSP+ in 2023.
Highest level of safety acknowledged in Europe
The Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) is the prominent organization for evaluating vehicle safety in the European market, the equivalent of IIHS. Euro NCAP has been assessing new vehicles on the European market since 1997 and has earned more credibility and influence with the backing of various European governments, the FIA, and the European Union.
Euro NCAP evaluates the protection of adult and child occupants and pedestrians in various crash conditions such as frontal and side impacts, as well as the safety assistance systems provided by the vehicle. The assessment process results in six levels of safety performance rated from 0-5 stars, with a five-star rating indicating an excellent overall level of crashworthiness and reliable safety equipment technology.
The IONIQ 5 was awarded the highest possible rating of five stars by Euro NCAP in 2021, making it the safest car to pass through both the U.S. and Europe's most demanding and rigorous rating organizations. This achievement was also carried over to the second model in the IONIQ lineup, the IONIQ 6, which also received a five-star rating in 2022, once again confirming our commitment to maintaining a high level of safety in our vehicles. Right after receiving the five-star rating, the IONIQ 6 was also named “Best in Class” in the “Large Family Car” category in 2023.
Safety: a value that stands the test of time
Hyundai is playing a leading role in achieving gradual change in the mobility industry, from electric vehicles to autonomous driving, robotaxis, robotics, PBV (Purpose-Built Vehicle), and even advanced air mobility.
As we continue the journey to further expand the boundaries of life through technological advancement and open doors to a new era of mobility, safety will always remain as the utmost value of Hyundai, where we strive to achieve "Progress for Humanity".
Here at Hyundai, we’re on a mission to make mobility solutions that will take us further than we’ve ever been before, while keeping us safe. Follow Instagram(@hyundai ) to see how we’re building the future of mobility.