Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), one of the country’s leading local automotive companies, marked another milestone as it received the first five units of the HD50S Modern Jeepney Class 2 from assembly partner Del Monte Motor Works, Inc. (DMMWI) recently.

These initial units were turned over to HARI Commercial Vehicle (CV) dealerships in support of the government’s PUV Modernization Program.

HARI President and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said at the roll off ceremony, “Since we began our Commercial Vehicle business in 2016, we have strongly supported PUV Modernization, as we are excited about the many new ways we could serve Filipinos. At last, we are thrilled to see our vision and our promise come to life! We forged this strong partnership with Del Monte since we share the same aim – give jeepney operators and commuters a safer, more efficient, and convenient mode of transport.”

The Hyundai H-100 Modern Jeepney Class 1 and Hyundai HD50S Modern Jeepney Class 2 recently received their Certificate of Compliance (COC) from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), signaling that the models are ready for deployment across the country.

Narciso Morales, President of DMMWI, welcomed guests from HARI and from Hyundai’s nationwide dealership network to their assembly facility and expressed confidence in his plant’s capacity to meet the gold standards of Hyundai: “We have been in this business for 70 years… with six plants all over the country… Combining Korean technology and Del Monte’s experience in the manufacturing sector, we are determined to accomplish HARI’s projected target.”

Established in 1950, DMMWI promotes Filipino engineering ingenuity through skilled craftsmanship of durable bodies for trucks and buses. Del Monte also assembled Hyundai’s initial Class 2 prototype unveiled during the opening ceremonies of the Hyundai Power Solutions Mobility Expo held at the LausGroup Event Centre in San Fernando, Pampanga.

The Hyundai Modern Jeepney Class 2 is built on Hyundai’s HD50S platform and is powered by a 2.9-liter Euro 4-compliant CRDi engine that provides better fuel efficiency, reliability, and cleaner emissions. It is designed for enhanced stability and power-to-weight ratio, boasting a 3,415-millimeter wheelbase.

The Class 2 vehicle also features roof-mounted air conditioning, AFCS, Wi-Fi, GPS tracking, CCTV cameras, 7-inch monitor, and speed limiter. It can accommodate 22 seated passengers + 1 driver as well as 8 to 10 standing commuters.

This Roll off Ceremony came on the heels of HARI and DMMWI formalizing their partnership by inking a Memorandum of Agreement. DMMWI will assemble Class 2 Modern Jeepneys for local transport cooperatives as part of the PUV Modernization Program.