Hyundai Backing COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing, Donates 65,000 RT-PCR Tests

Hyundai is expanding its support for COVID-19 drive-thru testing to 22 hospitals across the United States, with $4 million in grants via its Hyundai Hope On Wheels program.

The Korean carmaker is also donating 65,000 COVID-19 RT-PCR tests to hospitals, which can simultaneously detect three different genes (N, E and RdRP) of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.

The tests were developed by Seegene, a South Korea-based firm, and will come particularly in handy in hard-hit areas such as New Orleans, Chicago and Detroit.

“As a global automaker, we continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and its potential harm to the U.S. and beyond,” said Jose Munoz, Hyundai North America president and CEO. “A best practice that was crucial in South Korea’s handling of the coronavirus was drive-thru testing. This approach protects the healthcare workers and patients from the potential spread of the virus, while diagnosing those most in need.”

Hyundai has also called on its 825 dealers to provide support for local institutions, either financially or through donations, as well as through loaner car availability.

“The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has tragically impacted hundreds of thousands of lives with disease and millions more who are quarantined in the U.S.” said Dr Helen Cha Roberts, president of Seegene Technologies. “By supporting testing, Hyundai has stepped up as a global leader to provide an invaluable resource that will serve impacted Americans at this most critical time while also assisting to prevent further spread of the virus.”

If you want to learn more about Hyundai Hope On Wheels COVID-19 Drive-Thru testing centers, click here.