COSTA MESA, Calif. -

Hyundai announced this week that it has bolstered its warranty package on its Sonata Hybrid model to include a Lifetime Battery Replacement Guarantee.

This broadens the benefits offered under Hyundai Assurance and covers the battery in all 2012 editions of the model throughout the life expectancy of the vehicle. Officials contend it goes “thousands of miles beyond” the average new-car ownership period.

Explaining the coverage in more detail, basically if the lithium polymer battery technology in the Sonata Hybrid stops working, the battery is replaced for free, and Hyundai will also take care of the cost to recycle the old battery.

The automaker said it put the Sonata Hybrid and its Blue Drive hybrid drivetrain through more than 300,000 miles of tests, finding only “minimal degradation of its output or duration of operation,” something it argues gives owners confidence in what they’re buying.

“The Hyundai brand was built on outstanding quality backed by the industry’s best protection program which we call Hyundai Assurance,” said Michael O’Brien, vice president of corporate and product planning.

“Expanding Hyundai Assurance to include Lifetime Battery Replacement Guarantee was another opportunity for us to demonstrate our confidence in the durability of our product, and pass that peace-of-mind on to our owners,” he added.

Hyundai to Pump $15M into Testing Center, More

In other news from the automaker, the Hyundai America Technical Center revealed Tuesday it is investing a total of $15 million into constructing a Hot/Cold Weather Dynamometer Test facility and upgrading the technical center. It will also bring in 50 more full-time jobs.

The new testing laboratory will be the center’s Superior Township, Mich., location.

"This investment and promise of a Hot/Cold Weather Testing facility in Michigan reinforces Hyundai and Kia’s commitment to U.S. vehicle development and American jobs," said Won Suk Cho, president of HATCI.

“Investing in our locations, products and people is critical to Hyundai and Kia’s ability to compete with the best in the business. Hyundai and Kia are committed to doing everything it takes to work with its partners, including the State of Michigan, to be competitive in the marketplace,” he added.

Engineers will be able to use the hot/cold weather test facility to conduct the Environmental Protection Agency’s SC03 Supplemental Federal Test Procedure with air-conditioning — which is performed at 95 degrees Fahrenheit —and the cold FTP (done at 20 degrees).

Temperatures at the facility can be customized from 40-below to more than 245 degrees, officials noted.

“Vehicles must sit (soak) for a period of time at the controlled ambient temperature before dynamometer emissions testing can be performed. This will happen inside the weather chambers that Hyundai is constructing,” officials explained.

Hyundai and EPA are contracting these tests out right now, officials shared, also pointing out the agency is building a new testing site for alternative-fuel vehicles.

"Hyundai’s investment and growing presence here demonstrates Michigan’s singular leadership in industrial engineering, research, design and technological innovation," said Gov. Rick Snyder. "I was pleased to meet with the Hyundai’s most senior leadership in Korea and celebrate today’s announcement as an endorsement of all that our state can offer for a world-class company."

Hyundai to Donate Coats to Detroit Organization

Moving along, Hyundai also revealed Tuesday that it is giving the Focus: HOPE Detroit-area community organization 1,000 coats to be doled out to underprivileged youth in the area.

Hyundai is making this donation in conjunction with its North American International Auto Show activities in the city. The automaker is also donating to the Eleanor M. Josaitis Fund for Focus: HOPE. The foundation is named after the organization’s late co-founder.

“Our partnership with Hyundai is growing in ways that directly benefit people in our community,” said William Jones Jr., chief executive officer of Focus: HOPE. “Over the last three years, Hyundai has donated 3,000 winter coats for children and adults in our community.

“When I see how grateful people are to get a warm coat, I am extremely thankful for partners like Hyundai that step up to fill a serious need in our community,” Jones continued. “In addition to its generous donation of coats, Hyundai also provides monetary support that keeps our programs in motion. This is partnership in every sense of the word. We look forward to working with Hyundai for many years to come.”

Zafar Brooks, Hyundai Motor America’s director of government relations and diversity outreach, added: “At the core of our Corporate Social Responsibility efforts at Hyundai lies our commitment to the youth in our communities.

“We are honored to partner with Focus: HOPE and commend its longstanding commitment to address the needs of all young people, as well as those for people from all walks of life and socioeconomic statuses. We are inspired by the life’s work of Father William Cunningham and Eleanor Josaitis to eliminate poverty and improve access to education for our youth,” Brooks concluded.