Hyundai Motor Company has announced a temporary halt on the sales of certain specifications of its Palisade SUV following safety concerns related to its electric seats. The company stated that under specific conditions, the folding mechanism of the second and third-row electric seats may not adequately detect passengers or objects, posing a potential risk of injury. This decision was made public on the 14th of the month and highlights Hyundai's commitment to vehicle safety.

The announcement followed a tragic incident reported by Reuters, where a 2-year-old child lost their life due to complications associated with the folding electric seat of a Palisade in Ohio, USA. In response, Hyundai has decided to not only pause sales on specified models but also plans to submit a voluntary recall plan next week to both the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The expected scale of the recall is substantial, affecting approximately 57,474 vehicles produced up until March 11 of this year.

Hyundai's proactive measures to address this safety issue include enhancing the pinch protection feature of the Palisade's seating system before resuming sales. The company has expressed sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused by this matter, emphasizing that customer safety is its top priority. Hyundai remains committed to thoroughly reviewing all aspects of vehicle safety to enhance customer trust and satisfaction, taking necessary actions to prevent future incidents of this nature.