Hyundai had a press release out recently highlighting that it has provided $303 million in lifetime giving via its Hyundai Hope on Wheels nonprofit. The nonprofit is also supported by the brand’s 855+ US dealers, and the $303 million has been provided across 28 years. One thing in particular this funding is focused on is helping with childhood cancer. The company says it “commemorated 28 years of progress in the fight against childhood cancer during its annual gala in Washington, D.C.” Well, that sounds nice and self-congratulatory. “The event brought together Hyundai executives, dealers, members of Congress, researchers, physicians, childhood cancer survivors, and families to celebrate a lifetime giving milestone of $303 million in support of pediatric cancer research and care.” Fancy. Without a doubt, $303 million to help on this topic is great. But, sorry, reading through this, I kept thinking about something else. How much cancer has Hyundai caused through its gas-powered vehicles? We’ve known for decades that automobile pollution causes cancer, including childhood cancer. Has Hyundai taken cancer seriously and gone above and beyond to transition the industry to electric vehicles? One could certainly argue that Hyundai has been producing some of the better, more compelling electric vehicles across the legacy auto industry. However, its share of sales that are electric is not much different than other mass-market legacy brands. It hasn’t tried to hasten the transition from anything I’ve seen, sort of just going along with the flow of the overall auto industry. “Held during National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the gala highlighted the organization’s continued commitment to funding innovative research, advancing treatments, and supporting children and families throughout their cancer journey.” Cool. How about you work harder to stop producing and selling cars that create pollution that causes cancer? Funny how they knew to use an electric car for the PR event here, but the vast majority of vehicles it produces and sells are still non-electrics.
