Hyundai Motor Company, South Korea’s leading automaker and a pioneer in hydrogen mobility, is strengthening its push into Australia’s clean commercial vehicle market by partnering with local firm Advanced Manufacturing Queensland (AMQ) to build its Xcient hydrogen fuel cell trucks locally.
Several media outlets reported on July 30 that Hyundai Motor Company Australia has signed a remanufacturing partnership with AMQ to tailor the Xcient fuel cell truck to Australian standards.
Assembly of the right-hand-drive models is already underway at AMQ’s advanced facility in Brendale, north of Brisbane. The 1.98-acre facility was established with an investment of approximately $14 million.
As part of the localization effort, Hyundai is adapting the Xcient’s steering configuration, structural components, and onboard features to comply with Australian road safety and transport regulations.
AMQ brings more than a decade of experience in vehicle remanufacturing, having previously localized models like the electric F-150 Lightning.
Scott Nargar, Senior Manager of Future Mobility at Hyundai Motor Company Australia, noted that demand is already materializing as hydrogen refueling infrastructure nears completion in cities like Perth, Geelong, Port Kembla, and Townsville. “We’ve started receiving customer orders with various specifications,” he said.
The collaboration reflects Hyundai’s broader strategy to combine sustainability with localized innovation.
The company introduced the Xcient to the Australian market during the Brisbane Truck Show in May.
Globally, the hydrogen truck has logged over 8 million miles of real-world operation across 13 countries, including Switzerland and New Zealand, where it has already accumulated more than 62,000 miles.
The Xcient is equipped with a 476-horsepower electric motor, 1,649 lb-ft of torque, and a 72-kWh battery charged by a hydrogen fuel cell system, delivering an estimated range of 248 miles. Hyundai plans to launch both 4×2 and 6×2 variants in the Australian market.
As Australia accelerates its decarbonization agenda, Hyundai aims to secure a leadership position in the country’s hydrogen commercial vehicle sector through its partnership with AMQ.
Industry insiders say the project could serve as a blueprint for expanding Hyundai’s hydrogen mobility presence across Southeast Asia and beyond.
