• by Tanya Gazdik , April 14, 2020

Hyundai Motor America is expanding its support of COVID-19 drive-thru testing with a donation of 65,000 COVID-19 RT-PCR tests.

The tests were developed by Seegene, a South Korea-based global leader in multiplex molecular diagnostics. It can simultaneously detect three different genes (N, E and RdRP) of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.

Hyundai is the only automaker providing these critical testing capabilities to hospitals, especially in hard-hit cities like New Orleans, Chicago and Detroit. Hospitals receiving tests include Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston and Lurie's Children’s Hospital in Chicago.

The automaker is also supporting 22 hospitals nationwide with $4.2 million in grants through its Hyundai Hope On Wheels program.

Hyundai’s gift of $100,000 and 10,000 test kits (worth $150,000) specifically to Detroit was reported first by Marketing Daily on Friday after Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence announced it at a press event. Montgomery, Alabama, where Hyundai has an assembly plant, also received a $300,000 donation along with 10,000 test kits. 

“As a global automaker, we continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and its potential harm to the U.S. and beyond,” said Jose Muñoz, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America, in a release. “A best practice that was crucial in South Korea’s handling of the coronavirus was drive-thru testing. This approach protects the healthcare workers and patients from the potential spread of the virus, while diagnosing those most in need.” 

Hyundai and its over 825 dealers have also provided support to local institutions with financial assistance, food donations, face mask headband production and loaned vehicles. Additional support has been provided to Hyundai owners and first responders through the company’s Hyundai Assurance program.