In a significant boost for Australia’s clean transport and advanced manufacturing industries, Advanced Manufacturing Queensland (AMQ) has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Hyundai Motor Company Australia to remanufacture the XCIENT Fuel Cell hydrogen truck on Australian soil.
The project will take place at AMQ’s high-tech facility in Brisbane and marks the first time Hyundai’s hydrogen truck will be locally engineered to suit Australian road conditions and regulatory requirements.
The XCIENT Fuel Cell truck is Hyundai’s flagship zero-emissions heavy-duty model. Already operating in markets such as South Korea and Europe, it uses hydrogen fuel cell technology to deliver long-range, high-performance freight transport without the emissions of traditional diesel trucks.
The collaboration brings global vehicle innovation together with local engineering capability. AMQ, a 100% Australian owned company and subsidiary of the BOSSCAP Group, will lead the re-engineering work. According to Edward Kocwa, CEO of BOSSCAP Group, the partnership is a clear demonstration of what can be achieved when international technology is paired with local know-how.
“This partnership is a testament to what’s possible when global innovation meets local ingenuity,” Kocwa said. “We’re proud that Advanced Manufacturing Queensland, a 100% Australian owned business, is not only leading this transformative project but also supporting close to 100 skilled local jobs right here in Brisbane. Our team is passionate about building Australia’s future in clean transport, right here at home.”
The remanufacturing process will adapt the hydrogen truck to suit Australia’s road network, climate, and transport requirements. This will include modifications to components and systems to align with local engineering standards and operational conditions. It is expected to play an important role in supporting heavy-duty transport operators looking to reduce emissions while maintaining performance and efficiency.
For Hyundai, the initiative represents an important step in its global hydrogen mobility strategy. Don Romano, CEO of Hyundai Motor Company Australia, welcomed the local partnership and the role it will play in accelerating the adoption of hydrogen trucks in the region.
“Australia is an important market for Hyundai, especially in the advancement of hydrogen mobility,” Romano said. “We are proud to work with Advanced Manufacturing Queensland on this historic milestone. Their expertise, innovation and local footprint made them the ideal partner to bring this hydrogen truck to Australian roads for the first time.”
With pressure mounting on transport operators to meet sustainability targets, hydrogen is emerging as a viable zero-emissions solution for heavy-duty freight. Unlike electric trucks, which can face challenges in long-haul applications due to range and charging times, hydrogen fuel cell trucks offer fast refuelling and extended driving distances, making them well-suited to Australia’s vast and demanding logistics routes.
This partnership positions Queensland—and Australia more broadly—as a future hub for hydrogen vehicle development and remanufacturing. It also reinforces the value of building domestic capability in clean technology, reducing reliance on imported vehicle solutions and ensuring that Australian workers and engineers remain at the centre of innovation.
The project supports the broader vision of a sustainable transport future, underpinned by home-grown skills, investment, and industrial capability. With global demand for low- and zero-emission freight solutions rapidly expanding, the remanufacturing of hydrogen trucks locally could give Australian fleets early access to world-class vehicles while contributing to regional economic development.
As fleet operators across Australia begin to plan their zero-emissions strategies, the Hyundai-AMQ collaboration offers a clear example of how vehicle manufacturers and local engineering firms can work together to deliver solutions that are practical, scalable, and ready for real-world conditions.
