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Hyundai invests in solid-state battery developer from America

The race to develop and offer solid-state batteries in cars is heating up some more. Hyundai announced that it is investing in a company based in Massachusetts called Ionic Materials. The company is developing the solid electrolyte polymer that would replace the liquid electrolytes used in current lithium-ion batteries. This investment by Hyundai indicates a ramping up of its efforts to produce solid-state batteries. Last year, the Korea Herald reported that the company was working on the technology in-house. It is interesting that the company would partner with a smaller company based in America rather than a large battery developer from Hyundai's home country such as LG. Hyundai is also one of several companies working hard to bring solid-state batteries to the masses' cars. Toyota says it will have them in cars by 2022. Fisker is also aiming for early 2020s for its own solid-state batteries. Honda, Nissan, BMW and VW are all reportedly working on solid-state batteries, too. Perhaps what's most surprising is that there aren't more companies openly developing the technology, since solid-state batteries eliminate flammable liquid electrolytes, and they promise the potential of more capacity and faster charging times. Related Video:

Hyundai Sonata sales drop so Santa Fe production will increase

Hyundai will begin production of the five-seat Santa Fe Sport at its Alabama factory this summer to take advantage of the growing popularity of crossovers in comparison to midsize sedans. The company won't release official production targets for the CUV at the plant, but an anonymous company insider told Reuters Hyundai would build around 30,000 of them at the site this year. The Kia factory in Georgia will continue to handle the majority of Santa Fe Sport production, but the Alabama assembly will help Hyundai keep up with demand. The three-row Santa Fe will still come from South Korea. The Alabama factory has a 400,000-unit annual capacity and already produces the Elantra and Sonata. Sonata sales slipped in 2015 to 213,303 deliveries from 216,936 in 2014. Meanwhile, the volume of both body styles of Santa Fe jumped to 118,134 examples in 2015 from 107,906 the previous year. According to Reuters, Hyundai could have sold more of the CUVs last year, but a limited production capacity restricted the sales. Rumors from 2015 suggested that Hyundai might have had an eye on the plant for additional crossover production in case of falling sales for the sedans built there. The Alabama factory last built the Santa Fe in August 2010. "We're thrilled to bring back another pillar of the Hyundai lineup to our production mix here at HMMA," Chris Susock, vice president of production at the plant, said in the announcement. SANTA FE SPORT PRODUCTION WILL BEGIN AT HYUNDAI MOTOR MANUFACTURING ALABAMA IN SUMMER 2016 ID: 44810 • Additional production will support growing demand in the sport utility segment • Alabama plant is the home of the Sonata and Elantra sedans • Plant is capable of assembling 400,000 units per year MONTGOMERY, Ala., January 7, 2016 –Hyundai Motor Company has announced the addition of the Santa Fe Sport to the production schedule at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) starting in the summer of 2016. This change will supplement existing U.S. production of the sport utility vehicle to meet the growing demand in this popular vehicle segment. "We're very happy Hyundai has been able to make this change, which will result in more great Santa Fe crossovers available to our dealers and customers," said Dave Zuchowski, president and 'CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "The new production will help us meet the growing demand for one of our most popular products," said Zuchowski.

Driving the 2024 Lexus GX and Land Rover Defender 130 | Autoblog Podcast #818

In this episode of the Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Senior Editor James Riswick. We kick off the week by reviewing cars we've been driving, including the new Lexus GX, Land Rover Defender 130 Outbound, Jaguar F-Pace, Hyundai Kona and our long-term Subaru WRX. Next, we break down the best wagons of the 21st century, before discussing the Audi Sport RS6 GT. Finally, we discuss a bit of the 2024 Chicago Auto Show. Send us your questions for the Mailbag and Spend My Money at: Podcast@Autoblog.com. Autoblog Podcast #818 Get The Podcast Apple Podcasts – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes Spotify – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast on Spotify RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown Cars we're driving 2024 Lexus GX 2024 Land Rover Defender 130 2024 Jaguar F-Pace 2024 Hyundai Kona Long-term 2023 Subaru WRX Audi reveals the ultra-limited 2025 RS 6 GT 2024 Chicago Auto Show Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on Apple Podcasts Autoblog is now live on your smart speakers and voice assistants with the audio Autoblog Daily Digest. Say “Hey Google, play the news from Autoblog” or "Alexa, open Autoblog" to get your favorite car website in audio form every day. A narrator will take you through the biggest stories or break down one of our comprehensive test drives. Related video: 2024 Lexus GX 550 Overtrail is a more capable off-roader and looks the part