Hyundai Motor Sponsors MLB World Tour Seoul... Ioniq 5 to Be Awarded to First Home Run Player

Hyundai Motor Company announced on the 19th that it will sponsor the first-ever official Major League Baseball (MLB) game held in South Korea. Hyundai provided the hydrogen electric bus, Universe, as the event operation vehicle and prepared various events, including awarding an IONIQ 5 electric vehicle to the player who hits the first home run in the opening game.

The MLB World Tour Seoul Series is the first MLB game held in Korea. It takes place from the 17th to the 21st at Gocheok Sky Dome and consists of a total of six games: a two-game MLB regular season opening series between the LA Dodgers and the San Diego Padres, and four special games where the LG Twins, Kiwoom Heroes, and the South Korean national baseball team face off against the two MLB teams.

Hyundai supports a total of 18 vehicles for the event, including six Universe hydrogen electric buses, three IONIQ 5s, three IONIQ 6s, one G80, one GV80, and four Staria vehicles. Notably, the Universe hydrogen electric buses used for player transportation mark the first use of hydrogen electric vehicles as official operation vehicles in MLB history.

Hyundai Motor Universe Hydrogen Electric Bus parked in front of Gocheok Sky Dome [Photo by Hyundai Motor]

Hyundai is also holding an event called "The first IONIQ Home Run," where the player who hits the first home run in either the first or second opening game will receive an IONIQ 5. Additionally, Hyundai plans to enhance brand promotion by displaying its logo on the stadium fence, below the scoreboard, on banners, and as interview backdrops.

During the Seoul Series, Hyundai will exhibit a specially designed IONIQ 5 art car in the outdoor area of Gocheok Sky Dome. The IONIQ 5 art car is decorated using the logos and signature colors of the LA Dodgers and the San Diego Padres.

A Hyundai Motor Company representative said, "We are pleased to be part of a new chapter in baseball history as the first official MLB game in Korea. As the first to provide hydrogen electric vehicles as official operation vehicles in MLB, we will continue to take on various challenges as a leading Korean brand and a first mover in the mobility industry."