Hyundai Motor India launches driving academy in Chennai

November 8, 2013: Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the CSR arm of Hyundai Motor India, today launched the Hyundai Driving academy in Chennai, in association with the Institute of Road Transport (IRT) as part of skill development initiatives.

This initiative will provide training to underprivileged youth, free of cost, and train aspiring drivers from the general public at subsidised rates. HMIF will invest Rs 30 lakh in the first year and Rs 20 lakh in the subsequent years for training and targets to train at least 100 underprivileged boys and 100 general students.

The focus of the academy is road safety and hence the students will not only be taught driving in various road conditions but also the correct rules and regulations for safe driving. This training will consist of 10 hours of practical and five hours of theory classes, for the general public. Further, students can customize the training schedule as per their convenience.

The underprivileged students will be provided a comprehensive training including driving, sessions on car maintenance, spoken English, etiquettes, yoga and basic finance. At the end of the session, all students will be assisted to obtain their driving licence.

As a part of this initiative, HMIF has also upgraded the IRT facilities by improving the class rooms and other facilities at the cost of Rs 15 lakh. Additional manpower support will be provided to run the academy.

This initiative is in addition to the existing training facility at the HMIL factory where the Hyundai Driving School, has already trained over 400 rural youth in driving and workshop training, free of cost.

Speaking on the occasion, BW Ryu, executive director, HMIL, said: "This academy will help new car buyers and the existing car owners to learn the nuances of driving in all terrains and conditions. Another important aim of launching this academy is to cater to the needy youth in the city, thereby enhancing their skills and gain employment.”

R Sethuraman, trustee, HMIF, added: “I am sure the newly launched Hyundai Driving Academy will empower hundreds more in the days to come.”

KARTHIK H

Photograph (L-R) V Ramesh, general manager, General Affairs, Hyundai Motor India, B W Ryu, executive director (Admin), Hyundai Motor India, R Sethuraman, trustee, Hyundai and MD for Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), and S Murugan, director, Institute of Road Transport.