South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Company has unveiled to the public the IONIQ 5 vehicle that was used by Pope Francis.
The company’s position is that it hopes this exhibition will serve as an opportunity to reflect on Pope Francis’s message following his death in April this year.
According to industry sources reported Tuesday, Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore (HMGICS) has begun a special exhibition of the IONIQ 5 that Pope Francis rode in.
The vehicle served as the official ceremonial car throughout Pope Francis’s visit to Singapore in September of last year.
The IONIQ 5 is also an electric vehicle locally produced at HMGICS, Singapore’s first and only electric vehicle production facility.
“The selection of the IONIQ 5 as a ceremonial vehicle reflects Pope Francis’s emphasis on environmental and social responsibility,” HMGICS explained.
The exhibition is being held on the first floor of HMGICS and is free for anyone to visit. The display runs Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Hyundai asked visitors to maintain proper decorum during their visit in honor of the Pope’s legacy.
“We respect Pope Francis’s emphasis on environmental protection and community-centered values,” a Hyundai representative said.
“The exhibited IONIQ 5 serves not only as a milestone as Singapore’s first locally produced electric vehicle, but also as a symbol that quietly reminds us of a leader who advocated for peace and harmony.“
HMGICS is a smart factory and research and development complex established by Hyundai Motor Group on a 10.8-acre site with a total floor area of 22.2 acres and seven floors above ground in Singapore’s Jurong Innovation District.
The facility is responsible for producing 30,000 electric vehicles annually and developing intelligent manufacturing platforms that incorporate artificial intelligence and Internet of Things technology. Most production processes are handled by robots, while humans handle data verification tasks.
