Hyundai and UCI Health Continue Collaboration to Advance Child Passenger Safety in Southern California

• Hyundai donates $25,000 to support UCI Health's Federally Qualified Health Center Car Seat Safety Program
• Community event provides free inspections, education, and safety resources for local families

ANAHEIM, Calif., Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America and UCI Health are building on their commitment to child passenger safety by expanding access to education, inspections, and resources for families across Southern California. Through Hyundai Hope, Hyundai's corporate social responsibility initiative, Hyundai donated $25,000 to support the UCI Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), which serves underserved communities, and its Car Seat Safety Program. The investment will help provide families throughout Southern California with access to car seat inspections, safety education, and hands-on guidance from certified professionals while supporting a community event focused on child passenger safety. The program primarily benefits low-income families served throughout UCI FQHC.

Protecting Children Through Passenger Safety Education
"Helping protect children on the road starts with ensuring families have access to trusted information and resources," said Cole Stutz, chief safety officer, Hyundai Motor North America. "Through our continued collaboration with UCI Health, we are helping parents and caregivers gain the knowledge and confidence they need to keep their children safe every time they travel by expanding inspections, safety education, and access to replacement car seats for families throughout Southern California."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly half of all car seats are installed incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury for child passengers. Research shows that properly securing children in age- and size-appropriate car seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers. Expanding access to education and resources remains a critical step toward improving child passenger safety and helping families adopt best practices.

Providing Hands-On Support for Local Families
To support these efforts, Hyundai and UCI Health hosted a car seat safety event at UCI FQHC Anaheim, where certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) provided caregivers with personalized instruction on proper car seat installation and usage. Technicians conducted inspections, reviewed expiration dates and manufacturer recalls, assessed proper fit, and answered questions from parents and caregivers. Families whose car seats no longer met current safety standards received free replacements, helping remove barriers to safe transportation for children.

"UCI Health is committed to educating families and caregivers about the importance of car seat safety regardless of their resources or background – our collaboration with Hyundai make this possible," said Laurie Johnson, vice president, ambulatory care, UCI Health. "Hands-on demonstrations, including proper installation and buckling, helps to prevent injuries and save lives."

Expanding Access to Health and Safety Resources
Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people across Orange County, western Riverside County, and southeast Los Angeles County. Hyundai's contribution will help strengthen community outreach efforts and expand access to child passenger safety education and resources for families served through UCI FQHC.

This marks the latest investment in Hyundai's broader collaboration with UCI Health to improve health and safety outcomes across Southern California. Previous support from Hyundai helped expand diabetes services at UCI Health Family Health Centers in Anaheim and Santa Ana, increasing access to specialized care and educational resources for underserved patients. Together, Hyundai and UCI Health continue to invest in programs that promote safer, healthier communities and improve quality of life for local families.

Hyundai Hope
Hyundai Hope is a corporate social responsibility initiative from Hyundai Motor North America, committed to the principle of Progress for Humanity and the goal of improving the wellbeing of society. Hyundai Hope dedicates time and supplies resources to nonprofit organizations that support the health and safety of individuals and foster positive growth in communities. For more information, visit www.HyundaiHope.com.

Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company's Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, several cutting-edge R&D facilities and more than 855 independent dealers. These operations are part of Hyundai Motor Group, which is investing $26 billion in the U.S. from 2025 to 2028. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com.

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SOURCE Hyundai Motor America