HYUNDAI ANNOUNCES SPONSORSHIP OF WORLDWIDE AMATEUR MEN S SOCCER TOURNAMENT

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--U.S. WINNING TEAM WILL TRAVEL TO SEOUL, KOREA, DURING 2002 FIFA WORLD CUP TO COMPETE AGAINST TEAMS FROM 10 WORLD REGIONS IN HYUNDAI CUP WORLD SOCCER OPEN--

02/01/2002

Hyundai Motor America announces U.S. tournament play of the 2002 Hyundai Cup World Soccer Open, a worldwide amateur men’s tournament in which 180 nations will compete. U.S. regional tournaments will kick-off on February 9, 2002, and culminate at a U.S. national championship in April. The U.S. national championship-winning team will travel to Seoul, Korea, to compete for the world title during the same time as the 2002 FIFA™ World Cup. Hyundai Motor Company is sponsoring worldwide competition of the Hyundai Cup World Soccer Open.

“Hyundai is a proud supporter of soccer – from the youth to the professional level – and the Hyundai Cup allows soccer enthusiasts to experience the wonderful spirit, competition and internationalism of the FIFA World Cup on an amateur level,” said Finbarr O’Neill, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America.

In 110 local qualifying tournaments, 138 U.S. arena league teams will vie for a berth in one of eight regional playoff tournaments. Kicking off in Los Angeles on February 9, the regional tournaments will also take place in San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Atlanta and Dallas (see attached schedule for exact dates). The top two teams from each regional tournament will receive all-expense-paid trips to play in the Hyundai Cup National Championship in San Jose, Calif., on April 27 and 28.

The National Championship-winning team will travel to Seoul, Korea, on an all-expense-paid trip to compete against winning teams from 10 different world regions including Central America, South America, Africa, Middle East, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Korea, China, Japan, and Asia/Oceania. The World Championship game will take place on the opening day of the 2002 FIFA World Cup’s competition. All games played will be five-a-side with two alternate players.

“There is a great pool of talented, male amateur soccer players in the United States. The Hyundai Cup is sure to produce a strong team that will proudly represent the United States in Korea,” said Kevin Milliken, president, Federation of Sports Arenas and tournament organizer.

Kicking for a Cure

At each of the eight regional tournaments, Hyundai will sponsor soccer clinics for children afflicted by cancer by partnering with Soccer For Hope. Soccer For Hope is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing hope to children with life threatening diseases through financial support, while fostering educational benefits and awareness in the local soccer community. Children from local soccer organizations such as AYSO will also participate in the clinics. Preceding each clinic, which will take place on the first day of Hyundai Cup regional competition, Soccer For Hope will visit a pediatric oncology unit in a local hospital within the region.

“Soccer For Hope is thrilled to team up with Hyundai and help bring hope to children with life threatening diseases, while also generating awareness about pediatric cancer. Soccer For Hope is very supportive of Hyundai’s commitment to pediatric cancer cause-related efforts as it is a personal goal for me to give back to those who saved my life,” said director and founder for Soccer For Hope, Oliver Wyss, a professional soccer player and survivor of Aplastic Anemia.

The eight regional tournaments will include other on-site activities and promotions, including appearances by WUSA players, youth soccer clinics and the “It’s a Kick!!!” sweepstakes. The “It’s a Kick!!!” sweepstakes will award one grand prize package including a trip for four to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, as well as prize packages from promotional partners Adidas and JVC. Consumers can enter the sweepstakes by visiting their local Hyundai dealership or by visitingwww.hyundaiusa.com.

Hyundai’s Commitment to Soccer

Hyundai is proud to sponsor the 2002 FIFA World Cup™ held in Korea/Japan as part of its ongoing support of soccer. Hyundai Motor America is also a National Sponsor of the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) and official sponsor of the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA), Women's World Cup, and Men's and Women's Gold Cup. Soccer represents a tremendous opportunity for young athletes to build international friendships and understanding with competitors from around the world.

Hyundai’s Commitment to Pediatric Cancer

Since 1997, Hyundai Motor America has been dedicated to helping children and families fight pediatric cancer at a national level. Continuing its long-time support of pediatric cancer research and treatment, Hyundai Motor America’s entire dealer network has united to raise money for cancer research hospitals across the country by donating a percentage of each Hyundai car sold from mid-2001 through May 2002 to benefit pediatric cancer centers. Over the course of a 2002, Hyundai will donate more than $1 million to pediatric cancer cause-related efforts.

About Soccer For Hope

Soccer for Hope is a non-profit organization founded by Oliver Wyss, a professional soccer player and survivor of Aplastic Anemia. Soccer for Hope receives funding through corporate sponsorship and participation fees for Soccer for Hope camps and Soccer for Hope Inspirational Walks. The kids at the camps are made aware of the challenges that less fortunate children face and leave with the knowledge that they are helping children with life threatening diseases. The funds go to help children who need treatment that they could otherwise not afford.

For more information about Soccer For Hope, please visit www.soccerforhope.org.

About Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America, based in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai cars and sports utility vehicles are distributed in the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 500 dealerships nationwide. For more information about Hyundai Motor America, please visitwww.hyundaiusa.com.

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