Hyundai Motor Hydrogen Vehicle Lead in Global Commercial Trucks

Hyundai Motor Company is holding its ground at the top of the global hydrogen commercial truck market. This comes despite a sharp slowdown in demand worldwide.

Industry data from SNE Research shows 4,102 hydrogen vehicles sold between January and June 2025. That’s down 27.2 percent compared with the same period last year. Hyundai delivered 1,252 units in that time. Its share of the global market stood at 30.5 percent. Much of that strength comes from its hydrogen commercial trucks.

The downturn has now stretched into its third straight year. Sales fell 20.7 percent in 2023. Then 21.6 percent in 2024. And now a further drop this year. Still, Hyundai retained its lead despite its own sales sliding 31.9 percent.

China was the largest market. It accounted for nearly half of all sales, driven mainly by hydrogen trucks and other commercial vehicles. South Korea followed with 29.7 percent and Europe with 11.8 percent. Both posted double-digit declines.

Expanding the Hydrogen Commercial Vehicle Line

Hyundai is not standing still. In March, it revised its corporate objectives to include “hydrogen business and related activities.” This is backed by an $8.17 billion investment plan, which aims to strengthen the hydrogen ecosystem by 2030. The goal is to strengthen its entire hydrogen ecosystem. That means everything from production to infrastructure.

At the heart of its commercial vehicle strategy is the Xcient Fuel Cell truck. Built for heavy-duty and long-haul routes, it offers the range and capability that operators demand. It is one of the few hydrogen trucks already in regular service on global roads.

Tackling the Bottlenecks

Hyundai says the hydrogen industry faces three main obstacles. Limited refueling infrastructure. Supply chain bottlenecks. And a shortage of skilled labor. To address this, the company’s Jeonju plant is working with Wanju County, the Korea Hydrogen Association and Jeonbuk National University. Together, they are building the Wanju Hydrogen Specialized Complex. The project aims to boost Korea’s hydrogen commercial mobility sector and speed up adoption.

Long-Term Vision

Hyundai Motor President Jose Muñoz told Automotive News: “We will become a leading company in sustainable mobility with an electrification strategy that encompasses not only electric vehicles but also hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Hyundai Motor Company’s vision for sustainable smart mobility is clear.”

Conclusion

With the Xcient Fuel Cell at the core of its portfolio, new investments, and an aggressive infrastructure push, Hyundai Motor is showing it intends to keep its position in hydrogen commercial trucks. Even in a shrinking market, the company is betting on a long-term shift toward zero-emission freight transport.

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