Hyundai appoints Martin Zeilinger to lead fuel cell trucks and buses

Hyundai Motor Group has appointed Martin Zeilinger as executive vice president and head of its commercial vehicle (CV) development unit.

Zeilinger brings 30 years of experience on commercial vehicle development with a focus on autonomous driving and eco-friendly technologies.

He is now tasked with all R&D capabilities for Hyundai commercial vehicles while also spearheading development of commercial vehicles such as fuel cell trucks and buses.

Zeilinger will be reporting to Albert Biermann, president and head of Hyundai Motor Group’s research and development division.

“We are fortunate to have Martin join Hyundai Motor Group’s CV development tech unit,” Biermann says.

“Martin’s extensive technical knowledge and experience will help to introduce innovative commercial vehicles.

“We believe Martin will significantly contribute to further enhancing our group’s world leading fuel cell technology in the commercial vehicle sector,” Biermann says.

Zeilinger, who started on July 1, says he is “very proud joining Hyundai Motor Group on the way to global growth with new technologies”.

“The commercial vehicle industry has big environmental and economic challenges but also has big chances for efficient and clean transportation with the relevant new technologies and vehicles.

“I am looking forward to bring my experience in a new business environment,” Zeilinger says.

Prior to joining Hyundai, he worked at Daimler AG and has experience developing autonomous and electrified trucks.

Hyundai plans to step up efforts to lead the commercial vehicle industry with Zeilinger’s expertise.

Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility was formed in 2019 as a joint venture with Swiss company H2 Energy, with plans to deliver 1600 fuel-cell heavy-duty trucks through to 2025.

Last year in North America, Hyundai signed an MOU with Cummins to jointly develop and commercialise electric and fuel cell powertrains combining Hyundai fuel cell systems and Cummins’ electric powertrain, battery and control technologies.

In addition to green technologies, Hyundai has also demonstrated autonomous capabilities with commercial vehicles. In 2018, it completed South Korea’s first domestic highway journey with an autonomously navigated semi-trailer truck, equipped with level-3 autonomous driving technology.

Last year the company showcased its vehicle-to-vehicle capabilities to platoon trailer trucks on Yeoju Smart Highway. This features a 7.7 km testbed within the central region expressway, established by the Korean government for the development of autonomous driving technology.

Zeilinger started his career at Mercedes Benz AG in 1987 with a truck testing role. Since then he held various positions with increasing responsibilities. Zeilinger’s key career highlights include leading development of an autonomous driving truck and a battery electric truck called urban eTruck.

From 2018, Zeilinger headed Daimler Trucks’ engineering group in the electro mobility group to spearhead Daimler’s electrification efforts.

He graduated from Germany’s Stuttgart University with a degree in Aerospace engineering.