History

1982 Hyundai Pony

Chung Ju-Yung (1915–2001) founded the Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company in
1947. Hyundai Motor Company was later established in 1967, and the company's first model, the
Cortina, was released in cooperation with Ford Motor Company in 1968.[11] When Hyundai
wanted to develop their own car, they hired George Turnbull in February 1974, the former
managing director of Austin Morris at British Leyland. He in turn hired five other top British car
engineers. They were body designer Kenneth Barnett, engineers John Simpson and Edward
Chapman, John Crosthwaite, formerly of BRM, as chassis engineer and Peter Slater as chief
development engineer.[12][13][14][15] In 1975, the Pony, the first South Korean car, was released,
with styling by Giorgio Giugiaro of ItalDesign and powertrain technology provided by Japan's
Mitsubishi Motors. Exports began in the following year to Ecuador and soon thereafter to the
Benelux countries. Hyundai entered the British market in 1982, selling 2993 cars in their first
year there.[16]

In 1984, Hyundai began exporting the Pony to Canada, but not to the United States, as the Pony
would not pass emissions standards there. Canadian sales greatly exceeded expectations, and it
was at one point the top-selling car on the Canadian market. In 1985, the one millionth Hyundai
car was built.[17] Until the 1986 introduction of the larger Hyundai Grandeur, Hyundai offered a
locally assembled Ford Granada for the South Korean executive market. The import of these
knocked down kits was permitted as long as Hyundai exported five cars for every single Granada
brought in (the same demands were placed on Kia).[18]

In 1986, Hyundai began to sell cars in the United States, and the Excel was nominated as "Best
Product #10" by Fortune magazine, largely because of its affordability. The company began to
produce models with its own technology in 1988, beginning with the midsize Sonata. In the
spring of 1990, aggregate production of Hyundai automobiles reached the four million mark.[17]
In 1991, the company succeeded in developing its first proprietary gasoline engine, the four-
cylinder Alpha, and also its own transmission, thus paving the way for technological
independence.

In 1996, Hyundai Motor India Limited was established with a production plant in Irungattukottai
near Chennai, India.[19]

In 1998, Hyundai began to overhaul its image in an attempt to establish itself as a world-class
brand. Chung Ju Yung transferred leadership of Hyundai Motor to his son, Chung Mong Koo, in
1999.[20] Hyundai's parent company, Hyundai Motor Group, invested heavily in the quality,
design, manufacturing, and long-term research of its vehicles. It added a 10-year or 100,000-mile
(160,000 km) warranty to cars sold in the United States and launched an aggressive marketing
campaign.

In 2004, Hyundai was ranked second in "initial quality" in a survey/study by J.D. Power and
Associates in North America.[21][22] Hyundai is now one of the top 100 most valuable brands
worldwide according to Interbrand.[23] Since 2002, Hyundai has also been one of the worldwide
official sponsors of the FIFA World Cup.

In 2006, the South Korean government initiated an investigation of Chung Mong Koo's practices
as head of Hyundai, suspecting him of corruption. On 28 April 2006, Chung was arrested, and
charged for embezzlement of 100 billion South Korean won (US$106 million).[24] As a result,
Hyundai vice chairman and CEO, Kim Dong-jin, replaced him as head of the company.

On 30 September 2011, Yang Seung Suk announced his retirement as CEO of Hyundai Motor
Co. In the interim replacement period, Chung Mong-koo and Kim Eok-jo will divide the duties
of the CEO position.[25]

In 2014, Hyundai started an initiative to focus on improving vehicle dynamics in its vehicles and
hired Albert Biermann, former Vice President of Engineering at BMW M, to direct chassis
development for Hyundai vehicles, stating: "The company intends to become a technical leader
in ride and handling, producing vehicles that lead their respective segments for driver
engagement."[26]

On 14 October 2020, Euisun Chung was inaugurated as the new chairman of the Hyundai Motor
Group. His father, Chung Mong-Koo, has been made Honourary Chairman.[27]

In April 2021, the company said that its profits rose by 187%, the highest rise in four years. The
company recorded a profit of $1.16 billion from the beginning of 2021 until March.[28]

Research and development

Hyundai has six research and development centers, located in South Korea (three offices),
Germany, Japan and India. Additionally, a center in California develops designs for the United
States.[29]

Hyundai established the Hyundai Design Center in Fountain Valley, California in 1990. The
center moved to a new $30 million facility in Irvine, California, in 2003, and was renamed the
Hyundai Kia Motors Design and Technical Center. The facility also housed Hyundai America
Technical Center, Inc, a subsidiary responsible for all engineering activities in the U.S. for
Hyundai. Hyundai America Technical Center moved to its new 200,000-square-foot (19,000 m2),
$117 million headquarters in Superior Township, Michigan (near Ann Arbor) in 2005.[citation needed]

In 2004, Hyundai America Technical Center completed construction of its Hyundai/Kia proving
ground in California City, California. The 4,300-acre (17 km2) facility is located in the Mojave
Desert and features a 6.4-mile (10.3 km) oval track,[9] a Vehicle Dynamics Area, a vehicle-
handling course inside the oval track, a paved hill road, and several special surface roads. A
30,000-square-foot (2,800 m2) complex featuring offices and indoor testing areas is located on
the premises as well. The facility was built at a cost of $50 million.

In the 2021 review of WIPO's annual World Intellectual Property Indicators Hyundai ranked as
4th in the world for its 141 industrial design registrations being published under the Hague
System during 2020.[30] This position is up on their previous 7th-place ranking for 57 industrial
design registrations being published in 2019

Business
See also: Hyundai Motor Group

The world's largest automobile manufacturing plant in Ulsan, South Korea, produces over 1.6 million
vehicles annually.

In 1998, after a shake-up in the South Korean auto industry caused by overambitious expansion
and the Asian financial crisis, Hyundai acquired the majority of rival Kia Motors.[32]

In 2000, the company established a strategic alliance with DaimlerChrysler and severed its
partnership with the Hyundai Group. In 2001, the Daimler-Hyundai Truck Corporation was
formed. In 2004, however, DaimlerChrysler divested its interest in the company by selling its
10.5% stake for $900 million.

Hyundai Motor America headquarters in Fountain Valley, California

Hyundai has invested in manufacturing plants in North America, India, the Czech Republic,
Russia, China and Turkey as well as research and development centers in Europe, Asia, North
America and the Pacific Rim. In 2004, Hyundai Motor Company had $57.2 billion in sales in
South Korea making it the country's second largest corporation, or chaebol, after Samsung.
Worldwide sales in 2005 reached 2,533,695 units, an 11 percent increase over the previous year.
In 2011, Hyundai sold 4.05 million cars worldwide and the Hyundai Motor Group was the
world's fourth largest automaker behind GM, Volkswagen and Toyota.[33][34] Hyundai vehicles are
sold in 193 countries through some 5,000 dealerships.

In February 2021, CNBC reported that Apple and Hyundai-Kia are close to finalizing a deal to
build an autonomous

Apple car. The vehicle was said to be completely designed by Apple and would be built in
Hyundai or Kia plants, and could potentially go into production in 2024.[35] However, Hyundai
Motor announced shortly after that it is no longer in talks with Apple.[36][37]

In June 2021, Hyundai Motor Group completed its acquisition of a controlling interest in the
robotics firm, Boston Dynamics. Hyundai Motor Group now takes an 80% share of the company.
[38]
Board of directors

As of 16 May 2020:[39]

 Chung Eui-sun, chairman of Hyundai Motors

 Won Hee Lee, president and CEO of Hyundai Motors
 Albert Biermann, president of R&D
 Eon Tae Ha, president of domestic production
 Sang-Hyun Kim, CFO of Hyundai Motors
 Eun Soo Choi, former president of the Daejon High Court
 Dong Kyu Lee, former secretary-general of the Fair Trade Commission (South Korea)
 Byung Kook Lee, former Commissioner of the Seoul Regional Tax Office
 Chi-Won Yoon, CEO of UBS Asia-Pacific
 Eugene Ohr, former partner at Capital Group Companies International
 Sang-Seung Yi, Professor of Economics, Seoul National University
 Design emphasis

 Hyundai Le Fil Rouge concept car

 In 2006, Hyundai hired Thomas Bürkle as head of the company's design center in
Rüsselsheim, Germany. Bürkle had previously worked for BMW, having designed the
BMW 3 Series (E46), and the BMW 6 Series (E63).[40][41] Hyundai's current design
philosophy is known as Fluidic Sculpture,[42] which is heavily inspired by nature.[43]
 In 2018, the company announced the Sensuous Sportiness next-generation design
direction. The design philosophy was unveiled at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show
demonstrated by the Le Fil Rouge concept car, and has been rolled out into their recent
models, ranging from sedans to SUVs.[44] The Sensuous Sportiness design identity and
strategy has won Design Management Institute's (DMI) Design Value Award 2020.[45]
 India

Hyundai's manufacturing plant at Irungattukottai near Chennai, India

Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) was formed on 6 May 1996. During the entry of Hyundai
in 1996, fellow South Korean Daewoo had entered the Indian automobile market just three years
before, while Ford, Opel and Honda had entered less than a year back. Hyundai's first car in the
country, the Hyundai Santro was launched on 23 September 1998 and was considered a success.
It became the second best-selling car in the country from 2000.[86]

Hyundai Motor India Limited is currently the second largest auto exporter from India.[87][88] It is
making India the global manufacturing base for small cars.[citation needed]

Hyundai has two manufacturing plants in India located at Sriperumbudur in the Indian state of
Tamil Nadu. Both plants have a combined annual capacity of 600,000 units. In the year 2007,
Hyundai opened its R&D facility in Hyderabad, employing now nearly 450 engineers from
different parts of the country. Hyundai Motor India Engineering (HMIE) gives technical &
engineering support in vehicle development to Hyundai's main R&D centre in Namyang, Korea.

A stamp released to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Hyundai in India

In 2007, Hyundai started its support engineering centre with CAD/CAE teams in Hyderabad,
India. Hyundai expanded its engineering activities in India with Vehicle Engineering team in
2010. In 2011, Hyundai started its design activities at Hyderabad R&D Centre with Styling,
Digital Design & Skin CAD Teams and Packaging team. Indian engineers are heavily involved
in the making of Indian-oriented Hyundai vehicles including the i10, i20, along with other global
cars.[citation needed]

In June 2017, The Competition Commission of India imposed ₹87 crore ($13.6 million) penalty
for unfair business practices with respect to providing discounts for cars.[89]
Its top-selling sedan, according to the company's sales data in 2021 was the Elantra (Avante in
South Korea), which recorded 380,907 units. This model was produced in several plants,
including in South Korea, United States, China, among others. Another popular sedan model is
the Accent/Verna, which is popular in emerging markets including China, India, Middle East, as
well as developed markets like North America. This model ceased to be produced in South
Korea in 2019, as its production base were moved to Mexico and India.[127]

Other sedan models are the mid-size Sonata, executive Grandeur, and several China-oriented
models which consist of Reina, Celesta, Lafesta, and Mistra.

Some hatchback models developed by Hyundai have been divided into models developed to
cater to the Indian market and the European market. Both the i10 and i20 are models built in
India and Europe, with several changes between the Indian and European versions to ensure the
model could fit according to each market. Other hatchback models include the entry-level Santro
first introduced in 1998 for the Indian market, i30 C-segment car for developed markets, the
HB20 for the Brazilian market, and the hatchback version of Accent for markets outside India
and Europe.
Crossovers/SUVs

The Tucson is currently the best-selling Hyundai vehicle.

Hyundai entered the crossover SUV market early with the Santa Fe in 2000, followed by the
smaller Tucson in 2004. The Santa Fe was a huge hit with American and European markets,
despite receiving criticism in the past for Hyundai's obscure looks. It quickly became Hyundai's
best seller and was one of the reasons Hyundai survived despite having their sales declined.[128]
As of 2020, Hyundai has sold more than 5,260,000 units of Santa Fe globally.[129]

The first-generation Tucson shared its Elantra-based platform with the Kia Sportage. In most
countries apart from South Korea and the United States, the Tucson was retired for the Hyundai
ix35 from 2009 to 2015. However, the Tucson name was restored for the third generation, where
it was to be used across all markets. It was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2015.[128] The
Tucson is the fourth best-selling SUV in the world in 2020, with a total sales of 451,703 units,
below the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Volkswagen Tiguan.[130][131]

By mid-2010s, Hyundai moved into developing smaller crossover SUV models, starting from the
Creta (ix25 in China) from 2014, and the Kona in 2017. The Kona is also consisted of a hybrid
electric and a pure battery electric variant. By 2019, both model became the third and fourth-best
selling vehicle of the brand, while the Creta has been the best-selling SUV in Russia since 2016,
[132][133][134]
and India in 2020.[135] In 2021, Hyundai released its first crossover SUV model in the
South Korean light car segment, the Casper. It is the first venture of the brand in the segment in
15 years, and also the smallest automobile the brand produces of any kind.[136]

Currently, Hyundai produces 12 crossover SUV models for different markets.

Hybrid and electric vehicles

Hyundai Motor Company began developing flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs) in 1988. The test
vehicle was 1991 MY Scoupe FFV.[137] Since March 1992, in Seoul, Korea, through at least
November 1993, field trials of several FFVs had been performed over more than 30,000 miles.
[137]

The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid uses a lightweight lithium polymer battery.

The new hybrid-electric FGV-1 was unveiled at the Seoul Motor Show in 1995 which featured
full-time electric drive technology.[138] The 1995 FGV-1 was the result of Hyundai's first
experiments with hybrid propulsion systems in 1994. The FGV-2 was the second vehicle to be
produced. The company is using the "parallel" type design, which utilizes either the internal
combustion engine or the electric motor.[138] Others are the Elantra HEV and the Hyundai Accent
HEV, which were unveiled in 1999 and 2000, respectively.[138]

The first pure electric car developed by Hyundai was the Sonata Electric Vehicle in 1991. The
car started as a Sonata sedan-based model.[139] Hyundai planned to have six electric vehicles
available for testing by the end of 1992.[140]

Hyundai began mass-producing hybrid electric vehicles in 2008. The company is using Hybrid
Blue Drive, which includes lithium polymer batteries, as opposed to lithium-ion.[141][142][143] The
new hybrid Sonata made its debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show in November
2008.[144] The 2011 Sonata Hybrid sales in the U.S. began in February 2011.
In 2009, Hyundai released the Avante LPI Hybrid in the South Korean domestic market in July.
[145]
Hyundai showcased also the Hyundai BlueOn, an electric prototype of i10, was first unveiled
at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009. At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, Hyundai unveiled the i-
flow, a concept car using a variant of the BLUE-WILL hybrid system.[146]

As of March 2014, cumulative global sales of hybrid models totaled 200,000 units, including
both Hyundai Motors and Kia Motors hybrid models.[147]

In 2016, Hyundai revealed the Ioniq five-door liftback to rival the Toyota Prius. The nameplate
Ioniq is a portmanteau of ion and unique.[148] It is the first automobile to be offered in hybrid,
plug-in hybrid, and all-electric variants with no "standard" internal combustion engine only
version.[149][150][151] The hybrid variant launched in its home market in February 2016, followed by
the electric model in July 2016.[150][152] The plug-in hybrid version followed in February 2017.[153]

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the first Hyundai model developed on the E-GMP platform.

In August 2020, the company announced the launch of Ioniq as its own new electric brand and
confirmed three new electric cars that will be sold under the sub-brand. Ioniq is Hyundai's
second stand-alone brand after the Genesis. The new brand is going to utilise Hyundai's Electric
Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which they claims will enable "fast charging capability and
plentiful driving range."[154] The automaker said the first of the three new global models will be
the Ioniq 5, a midsize crossover, arriving in early 2021. It will be followed by the Ioniq 6 sedan
in late 2022, and then by the Ioniq 7, a large SUV, in early 2024. New models will be named
numerically, with even numbers for sedans, and odd numbers for SUVs.[155]

In December 2020, Hyundai Motor Group announced details about its E-GMP platform that will
be the underpinning of new Hyundai and Kia electric vehicles starting in 2021. Apart from
Hyundai, Ioniq, and Kia brands, it will also be used for future Genesis electric cars.[156] The
platform's main components is a battery pack under the cabin and an all-in-one motor,
transmission, and inverter designed and developed by Hyundai. By bundling the components,
Hyundai said, it raised the maximum speed of the motor by up to 70 percent compared to
existing motors, despite its small size. The company claimed that it is capable to handle power
output up to 600 hp (608 PS; 447 kW) from the system.[157]

In February 2020, Hyundai launched its first vehicle built above the E-GMP platform, the Ioniq
5. It is the first product to be marketed under the Ioniq sub-brand.[158] At its introduction, it is the
most advanced electric vehicle produced by Hyundai. Its battery can be charged from 10 to 80
percent in 18 minu

tes with its 800 V charging capabilities by using a 350-kW charger. A five minutes charge will
add 100 km (62 mi) to its range by WLTP standards.[159] Its claimed maximum range is 480 km
(298 mi) for the rear-wheel-drive 72.6 kWh variant.[160]

In July 2022, Hyundai announced its new automotive factory in South Korea, solely dedicated
for electric vehicles and with production set to begin in 2025. It will be the first Hyundai plant to
open in South Korea since 1996.[161]

Hyundai is currently expanding its full-electric lineup to include the Ioniq 6, which will debut in
Europe in the second half of 2022, and the Ioniq 7, which is projected to hit the market in 2024.
[161]

Hydrogen vehicles

Hyundai Nexo
In March 2018, Hyundai launched a hydrogen powered crossover SUV the Nexo.[162] In October
2020, South Korean domestic sales of the Nexo exceeded 10,000 vehicles.[163] As of July 2020,
Hyundai had exported only 769 vehicles to the United States and Europe with supply limited due
to domestic demand.[164][165]

In 2020, Hyundai launched a hydrogen powered version of its Xcient truck the Xcient Fuel Cell
delivering seven vehicles to customers in Switzerland.[166] The Xcient Fuel Cell is the world's
first production hydrogen fuel cell truck.[166][167] In 2019, Hyundai formed Hyundai Hydrogen
Mobility (HHM) together with Swiss company H2 Energy to lease trucks to Swiss customers
with plans to deliver 50 trucks by 2020.[166] Hyundai chose to launch in Switzerland as its road
tax does not apply to zero-emission trucks and for its ability to produce hydrogen using
hydropower.[166] HHM formed a partnership with Hydrospider, a joint venture of H2Energy,
Alpiq and Linde to produce hydrogen and to build hydrogen refuelling infrastructure in
Switzerland.[168] The 34-ton Xcient Fuel Cell has a 190 kW fuel cell supported by a 73 kW
battery pack that stores energy from the fuel cell and from braking, seven hydrogen tanks, a
maximum speed of 85 km/h (53 mph), a driving range of about 400 kilometres (250 mi) and a
refueling time of between 8 and 20 minutes.[167]

In 2020, Hyundai launched a hydrogen powered version of its Elec City bus the Elec City FCEV
that has a capacity of 44 passengers with 24 seats and 20 standing seats.[163][169] The bus has a 180
kW fuel cell supported by a 156 kW battery pack, five hydrogen tanks, a driving range of 434
kilometres (270 mi) and a refuelling time of 15 minutes.[169][170] In 2020, Hyundai exported two
buses to Saudi Arabian oil company Saudi Aramco for demonstration

Hyundai i20 WRC

Hyundai i20 WRC

The Hyundai i20 WRC is a World Rally Car built by Hyundai for use in the 2014 World Rally
Championship.[183] It is based on the Hyundai i20 subcompact car, and was unveiled at the 2012
Paris Motor Show. The launch of the i20 marks Hyundai's return to the World Rally
Championship after a ten-year absence.[184] The car is scheduled to make its first competitive
appearance at the 2014 Rallye Monte Carlo, but may compete during the 2013 season to aid
development.[185]

The car will be operated by Hyundai's performance division, Hyundai Motorsport from a base in
Frankfurt, Germany.

Environmental record
On 23 April 2008, Hyundai Motor announced the beginning of a five-year project to turn 50 km2
of infertile land into grassland by 2012. Hyundai is doing so with the help of the Korean
Federation for Environmental Movement (KFEM). The project, named Hyundai Green Zone, is
located 660 km north of Beijing. The goal of the project is to end the recurring dust storms in
Beijing, block desertification and protect the local ecosystem. Local weeds will be planted in the
region that have the ability to endure sterile alkaline soil. This is the first environmental project
of the company's social contribution programme.

Marketing
Corporate social responsibility

In 2008, Hyundai Motors established a committee to oversee its Corporate Social Responsibility
programme.[187] Among the programme's initiatives have been the "Happy Move Global Youth
Volunteers Program".[188]

The Hyundai Motors' India Foundation (HMIF) has invested more than 20 million rupees in
various corporate social responsibility programmes in India. In 2011, it started the "Go Green"
village adoption project in Tamil Nadu. Its aim was to promote environmentally friendly
products, increase the forest cover in Tamil Nadu, and improve living and hygiene conditions in
the region's villages. A number of schools have been adopted for improvement with the HMIF
donating around 450 benches to government schools and drilling 10 bore wells.[189]

In 2020, Hyundai Motors signed a contract with UN Development Programme and launched a
campaign ‘for Tomorrow’ in 2021 to create and realize a solution for problems that global
society faces. In 2022, the documentary film 'for Tomorrow' was released which contains the
main story of the 'for Tomorrow' project