Hyundai's New Patent Could Bring Shift Lights To More Models

Hyundai claims to have discovered a method to streamline production and increase the number of vehicles equipped with steering wheel shift lights.

On June 13, the carmaker submitted a patent application to the US Patent and Trademark Office, detailing the method of assembly for shift lights mounted on the steering wheel. No matter if the wheel has them, the filing says it will have a cutout on top for the lights and a wiring groove inside.

This will let Hyundai reduce the wheel's production cost, which means it will be available for more models at a lower price. Thanks to the new framework, the carmaker can incorporate a wide range of interchangeable trim pieces. Ferrari, McLaren, and BMW were among the first automakers to incorporate shift lights into their steering wheels and dashboards.

But if Hyundai's patent really streamlines manufacturing, it might become standard on more popular models. For now, the wheel's eventual production status is uncertain.