Hyundai's 2005 National 'Hope On Wheels' Tour Takes to the Road From Washington, DC

Children Lend Handprints to Campaign Honoring Those Fighting Pediatric Cancers

WASHINGTON, March 15 -- The Hyundai Dealers Association and Hyundai Motor America today kick-off the 2005 "Hope On Wheels" tour at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC. An extension of Hyundai's Helping Kids Win Against Cancer charitable effort, "Hope On Wheels" is a company initiative designed to raise awareness of the critical need for pediatric cancer research to conquer the number one disease killer of children.

The centerpiece of the "Hope On Wheels" program is a Hyundai Santa Fe SUV that travels across the country gathering the handprints of children battling -- and beating -- cancer. Departing from Washington, the tour plans to stop in 30 cities across the nation this year, including New York, Houston, Miami, Chicago and San Diego. In each city, the tour celebrates the lives of pediatric cancer patients with "handprint ceremonies," during which local children fighting cancer are invited to apply their handprints and names to the car, adding to the more than 150 already gathered from kids across the country.

At the "Hope On Wheels" kick-off ceremony at Children's National Medical Center, Hyundai Dealers and Hyundai Motor America are also formally announcing a strategic alliance with Bethesda, MD-based CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation, the nation's only pediatric cancer foundation supporting every pediatric cancer program in North America, which treats 90 percent of children with cancer. In 2005, Hyundai has pledged $1.5 million to CureSearch, adding to the more than $6 million the company has contributed to cancer research since 1998.

At each stop on the national tour, Hyundai dealers from the region contribute funds to local pediatric cancer hospitals. A portion of every new Hyundai sold in the U.S. contributes to this effort.

"All of us at Hyundai Motor America, from myself to our 650 U.S. dealers, are committed to supporting pediatric cancer research and care, and we're proud to be the first and only automobile manufacturer to focus exclusively on this important cause," said Bob Cosmai, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "Through our 'Hope On Wheels' program, not only are we helping to find a cure for childhood cancer, we're also celebrating treatment milestones in the lives of these brave young people winning against this disease."

Hyundai's Helping Kids Win Against Cancer program was established in 1998 through the efforts of Boston-area Hyundai dealers and their donations benefiting The Jimmy Fund at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Additional support then followed to Duke Children's Hospital and Health Center in Durham, NC, City of Hope Cancer Center in Los Angeles and Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. The "Hope On Wheels" tour was established in 2004, and expanded with CureSearch this year to benefit additional hospitals throughout America.

About Hyundai Motor America: Hyundai Motor America, based in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai cars and sport utility vehicles are distributed in the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 650 dealerships nationwide. Fore more information about Hyundai's "Hope On Wheels" program, please visit http://www.hyundaihopeonwheels.com/ .

About CureSearch: CureSearch unites two organizations -- the National Childhood Cancer Foundation (NCCF) and the world's largest and most prestigious childhood cancer research organization, the Children's Oncology Group (COG). Together, they are singular in our purpose to reach the day when every child with cancer can be guaranteed a cure. http://www.curesearch.org/

About Children's National Medical Center: Children's National Medical Center, located in Washington, D.C., is a leader in the development of innovative new treatments for childhood illness and injury. Among the top ten pediatric hospitals in America, Children's has been serving the nation's children for more than 130 years. http://www.dcchildrens.com/