Hyundai Company Profile

About HMIL

Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company (HMC), South Korea and is the largest passenger car exporter and the second largest car manufacturer in India. HMIL presently markets 8 models of passenger cars across segments. The A2 segment includes the EON, Santro, i10 and the i20, the A3 segment includes the Accent and the Verna, the A5 segment includes the Sonata Transform and the SUV segment includes the Santa Fe.

HMIL's fully integrated state-of-the-art manufacturing plant near Chennai boasts of the most advanced production, quality and testing capabilities in the country. To cater to rising demand, HMIL commissioned its second plant in February 2008, which produces an additional 300,000 units per annum, raising HMIL’s total production capacity to 600,000 units per annum.

In continuation with its commitment to providing Indian customers with cutting-edge global technology, HMIL has set up a modern multi-million dollar research and development facility in the cyber city of Hyderabad. It aims to become a centre of excellence for automobile engineering and ensure quick turnaround time to changing consumer needs.

As HMC's global export hub for compact cars, HMIL is the first automotive company in India to achieve the export of 10 lakh cars in just over a decade. HMIL currently exports cars to more than 115 countries across EU, Africa, Middle East, Latin America and Asia Pacific. It has been the number one exporter of passenger car of the country for the sixth year in a row. To support its growth and expansion plans, HMIL currently has a 336 strong dealer network and 721 strong service points across India, which will see further expansion in 2011

HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY is a Korea-based automobile manufacturer. The Company manufactures passenger cars under the brand names of Centennial, Genesis, Veloster, Azera, Sonata, i40, Elantra, Accent, i30cw, i20, ix20 and others; sport utility vehicles (SUVs) under the brand names of Veracruz, Santa Fe and Tucson, and commercial vehicles, including trucks, buses, special vehicles and bare chassis. The Company also provides automobile maintenance and automobile financing services. The Company distributes its products within domestic market and to overseas markets

Abstract

Taking pride in your car by driving it and admiring it is one thing, actually knowing its history is quite another.

The Hyundai Motor Company is one if not the most dynamic automobile producer in any developing country. This is remarkable considering that the company is closing in on 40 years of existence. To outline its history one must also look into the life and times of its founder Chung Ju-Yung. It cannot be told without the outlining the founders rise from the rice fields of Korea to the circumstances that let him to acquire the knowledge and determination that led to the creation of one of the fastest growing family owned businesses into a global competitor. His creation of numerous companies eventually let to the establishment of the Hyundai Group. The Hyundai Motor Company was one of these. He created it and transformed it from a mere assembler of Ford models to a designer and exporter of its own cars and engines in less than four decades. It has already become a major global player with plants and dealerships that span six continents. The company is one of the largest and most diversified business organizations with 45 affiliated domestic companies and 254 overseas companies in nearly 200 countries. The Hyundai Motor Company is but one which the Group is active in such as shipbuilding, steel, petrochemicals, heavy machinery, aerospace, electronics and financial services. These pages therefore outlines not only the rich and unique History of the Hyundai Motor Company but also the remarkable years beforehand that led to its creation, the eventual breakup of the Group and its continuous development into a top ten global automaker.

Reason for this page

While I am a fanatic of the Hyundai brand, I failed to see a one page source of the company's complete history. The following write up is compilation from numerous sources acquired throughout the internet, books and company sources that are available to the public. I just grouped them in one place

for easier access. The resources for this write up are acknowledged in footnotes and at the end of this page, Including if any original write ups.

Quick Year Access

here

Pre-Hyundai History 1900-1946

1915 1930 1932 1934 1937 1939 1940 1945 1946 1947

1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949

1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959

1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969

1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

2010

History Part 1. Before the Hyundai Motor Company. 1915-1939

The story of Hyundai Motor Company starts off first and foremost with its founder, Chung Ju-Yung. He alone created an industrial empire, pulled post-war Korea out of poverty and ruin while building his own fortune. As mentioned in the abstract, to outline the History of Hyundai one must start with its founder and the years leading up to the creation of the Hyundai Motor Company.

What does Bill Gates of Microsoft, Phil Knight of Nike, Pierre Omidyar of ebay, and Larry Page of Google all have in common. They have the vision, the tenacity and the refusal to back down, and turn a company into a global player. In Korea, its best personified by Chung Ju-Yung who with his vision created a group of companies that by the time he retired in 1991, accounted for 16 percent of Korea’s gross domestic product and 12 percent of its total exports. The Hyundai Group is one that helped Korea rise to

become the world’s 11th largest economy, the eight largest trading partner of the U.S., and a global leader in construction, semiconductors, shipbuilding and steel production. The following outlines the years leading to the creation of the Hyundai Motor Company.

1915

Chung Ju-Yung the eldest son of two girls and six boys is born on November 25th, 1915 in the northern mountainous region of Tongchon, Kangwon-do in what was later known as North Korea to a poor peasant farming family.

1930

Chung graduates from Sonjon Primary School. [1]

Chung’s formal education ends when at the age of 14, his father withdraws him and set him to task of helping to provide for his younger siblings by working as a laborer on the family farm. He was later sent to work as a railway construction laborer, bookkeeping and then as a dock hand for a barge owner. All this by the age when most modern youths would be entering junior high school. All the wages he obtained from these jobs were taken by his parents to feed the family. These numerous job assignments and stressful situations to provide for the family led young Chung to attempt to run away from his Tongchun home numerous times. Twice he was caught and brought back and discipline.

1932

Chung third and final attempt to run away was successful and he financed his 120 mile trek to Seoul by selling one of his father’s cows, arriving in the city around the age of 16.[2]

1934

Chung Ju-yung (then 18 years old) enters the business world by being employed at “Bokheungsanghwoe”, a rice shop in Seoul.

1937

At the age of 22, Chung Ju-yung opens his own rice shop “Gyungilsanghwoe” after the acquisition of the former shop. Learning that the first and foremost fact in establishing a business is trust.

1939

Chung Ju-yung Marries 16-year old Byeon Jung-seok.

History Part 2. Occupation, Planting the seeds and The Group is formed. 1940-1950

In the following decade, due to the Japanese occupation, Chung Ju-yung starts planting the seeds which eventually form into the Hyundai Group. A group of companies that become the biggest conglomerate (chaebol), in the country of Korea. The Group comprised many areas of activity including shipbuilding, car manufacturing, retailing, finance and electronics in the years to come.

1940

The Japanese, which had occupied Korea at the time, made it illegal for Koreans to own such critical food trades as rice shops and forced Chung Ju-yung to shutdown. This led him to be a truck driver and then owner of his own delivery service. With the delivery service he gained the knowledge of repairing the trucks and this led to operate an automobile repair shop.

Chung Ju-yung officially opens and establishes a garage and repair firm, known as the “Ah-do Service” auto repair shop in Seoul in March 1940.

1946

Chung Ju-yung (then 31 years old) establishes Hyundai Auto Service in Seoul, South Korea on April, 1946 and repaired trucks for the US Armed forces in South Korea. The business helped create and financed The Hyundai Civil Works Co. (known as Hyundai Togun), which was later merged into the Hyundai Engineering and Construction. Hyundai becomes the U.S. Army’s favorite contractor during the Korean War.

1947

The Hyundai Group is founded by Chung Ju-yung as a construction company. The company, Hyundai Civil Works Co. is formally establishment on May 25, 1947.

History Part 3. Mergers, Expansions and Contracts. 1950-1966

1950

Hyundai Togun renamed into Hyundai Construction and Engineering Co. in January, after merging the Hyundai Auto Service and the Hyundai Civil Works Co. together.

Hyundai Commercial Transportation Co. established in July.

1960

Hyundai Construction ranks first in the construction industry in terms of orders received.

1961

Hyundai Construction’s headquarters is built in Mukyo-dong, Seoul in January.

1964

Completion of Hyundai Construction’s cement factory in Tanyang, Chungchong-pukto in June.

1965

Receives order to build Thailand’s expressway, the nation’s first order from abroad in September.

History Part 4. The creation of the Hyundai Motor Company 1967-1970

1967

Hyundai starts building the multipurpose dam on the Soyang River in April. Finishes the project in Dec. 1973.

Hyundai Motor Company established by Chung Ju-yung and his brother Se-yung Chung on December.

1968

Hyundai starts on an eight year experience process of assembling vehicles (1968-1976).

Entered into an Overseas Assembler Agreement (Licensing Agreement) with Ford. (Whereby Hyundai was to assemble Ford compact cars on a semi-knockdown (SKD) basis. Ford transferred “packaged” technology to Hyundai with a set of explicit knowledge, such as blueprints, technical specifications, production manuals and training of Hyundai engineers. This agreement with Ford gave Hyundai valuable migratory knowledge with which to upgrade its tacit and explicit knowledge to auto assembly.

Hyundai achieves the shortest time (six months) between groundbreaking and first commercial production among the 118 Ford assembly plants around the world.

Hyundai starts producing the Ford Cortinas and Ford Granadas for the South Korean domestic market from 1968 through 1976.

Construction begins on the Kyungbu Expressway connecting Pusan and Seoul. Finishes in June 1970.

1969

Chung Ju-yung inaugurated as Hyundai Construction Chairman in January.

Hyundai Cement Co. established.

History Part 5. Collaborating and Learning 1970-1980

1971

Chung Ju-yung becomes the Hyundai Group chairman in February.

1972

On March 23, Hyundai Heavy Industries established. Specializing in Shipbuilding, offshore & Engineering and Industrial Plant & Engineering. Founder Chung Ju-Yung takes his first shipbuilding order for Hong Kong trade giant CT Tung, before even building his ship yard. CT Tung received their tanker on time.

1972

On March 23, Hyundai Heavy Industries established. Specializing in Shipbuilding, offshore & Engineering and Industrial Plant & Engineering. Founder Chung Ju-Yung takes his first shipbuilding order for Hong Kong trade giant CT Tung, before even building his ship yard. CT Tung received their tanker on time.

1973

Hyundai Heavy Industries Ltd. Established in April.

The Korean government formulated The Long-Term Plan for Promotion of the Automobile Industry and ordered four automobile companies to submit detailed plans to develop Korean cars by 1975. Hyundai being one of these companies. The others were Daewoo, Kia and Ssangyong.

Hyundai submits its master plan for a new plant with a capacity of 80,000 “Korean” cars. (Note: Actual production for the year was 5,426 cars.

Hyundai approaches 26 firms in five countries to acquire different technologies. (10 firms in Japan and Italy for car design. 4 firms in Japan and the United States for stamping shop equipment. 5 firms in the United Kingdom and Germany for casting and forging plants. 2 Firms in Japan and U.K. for engines and 5 U.S. and U.K firms for an integrated parts/components plant.

Hyundai enters into a licensing agreement with Giorgio Giugiaro’s ItalDesign for body styling and design.

Hyundai enters into licensing agreement with Mitsubishi for gasoline engine, transmission, rear axle designs and casting technology.

1974

Hyundai Engineering Co. and Hyundai Motor Services Co. are set up in February.

Hyundai hires former British Leyland Motor Corp., Ltd president George Turnbull as its vice president and six other British technical experts for a three year period (1974-1977) for the successful development of its first indigenous model, the Pony.

Subcompact car Pony, Korea's first independently designed and manufactured model, unveiled at the 55th Turin International Motor Fair. (The engine, transmission and suspension were all from a previous model of the Mitsubishi Lancer and the exterior design by Giugiaro’s ItalDesign studios.)

1975

Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co. founded in April.

The Pony (with 90% domestic content) makes Korea the second nation in Asia to have its own domestic automobile, starts production.

Hyundai Heavy Industries wins over 900 million in construction contracts with Saudi Arabia to build a port at Jubail.

1976

The Pony model cars, the nation’s first vehicle model, are officially released in January.

First Pony exported.

Establishment of Korea Industrial Development Co. and Asia Merchant Marine Co. in March, Asia Merchant Marine is later renamed, Hyundai Merchant Marine.

Hyundai Corp established in December.

Hyundai completes the construction of the Jubail, Saudi Arabia port worth $930 million. Chung saved money by using Korean parts and not insuring the shipments, risking ruin, but the gamble paid off, making Hyundai a major player in Middle East construction.

1977

The British engineers that help Hyundai develop the Pony left the company and Hyundai uses moonlighting Japanese engineers to troubleshoot problems.

Chung Ju-yung is appointed chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries and leads the organization until 1987.

Chung Ju-yung establishes Asan Foundation as well as the Hyundai Oil Refinery in July.

Acquisition of Gukil Securities and the foundation of Hyundai Securities in November.

1978

Hyundai starts working on the Sosan reclamation project, Chungchong-namdo, in August. Finishes in August 1995.

Started sales of 11-ton cargo and dump trucks.

Granada (6-cylinder) debut.

Hyundai Machine Tools (a branch of the Hyundai Motor Group) established.

1980

Assembly Plant in Canada established.

History

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

Chung Ju-Yung founded the Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company in 1947. Hyundai Motor Company was later established in 1967. The company's first model, the Cortina, was released in cooperation with Ford Motor Company in 1968. When Hyundai wanted to develop their own car, they hired George Turnbull, the former Managing Director of Austin Morris at British Leyland. He in turn hired five other top British car engineers.They were Kenneth Barnett body design, engineers John Simpson and Edward Chapman, John Crosthwaite ex-BRM as chassis engineer and Peter Slater as chief

development engineer.[6][7][8][9] In 1975, the Pony, the first 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. In 1991, the company succeeded in developing its first proprietary gasoline engine, the four-cylinder Alpha, and transmission, thus paving the way for technological independence.

In 1984, Hyundai exported the Pony to Canada, but not to the United States, because the Pony didn't pass emissions standards there. Canadian sales greatly exceeded expectations, and it was at one point the top-selling car on the Canadian market. The Pony afforded a much higher degree of quality and refinement in the lowest price auto segment than the Eastern-bloc imports of the period then available.

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 1996, Hyundai Motor India Limited was established with a production plant in Irungattukottai near Chennai, India.[10]

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.[11] 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. Hyundai is now one of the top 100 most valuable brands worldwide. 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 April 28, 2006, Chung was arrested, and charged for embezzlement of 100 billion South Korean won (US$106 million).[12] As a result, Hyundai Vice Chairman and CEO, Kim Dong-jin, replaced him as head of the company.

On September 30, 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.[13]

[edit]Research and Development

Hyundai has 6 centres worldwide, located in Korea (three offices), Germany, Japan and India. Additionally, there is an American design center in California that develops designs for US markets.[14]

[edit]Business

See also: Hyundai

In 1998, after a shake-up in the Korean auto industry caused by overambitious expansion and the Asian financial crisis, Hyundai acquired rival Kia Motors. 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 has invested in manufacturing plants in the North America, India, Czech Republic, Pakistan, 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. Worldwide sales in 2005 reached 2,533,695 units, an 11 percent increase over the previous year. Hyundai has set as its 2006 target worldwide sales of 2.7 million units (excluding exports of CKD kits). In 2007 it reached 3,961,629 worldwide vehicle sales—surpassing Fiat, Chrysler, PSA/Peugeot, Nissan, and Honda.

Hyundai motor vehicles are sold in 193 countries through some 5,000 dealerships and showrooms. After a recent survey of global automotive sales, Hyundai is now the fourth largest automaker in the world as of 2009.[15]

The Hyundai brand power continues to rise as it was ranked 65th in the 2007 Best Global Brands by Interbrand and BusinessWeek survey, with brand value estimated at $5.0 billion. Public perception of the Hyundai brand has been transformed as a result of dramatic improvements in the quality of Hyundai vehicles. As of 2011, it is the world's fastest growing car brand for two years running.[16][unreliable source?]

[edit]Hyundai in North America

The Hyundai Genesis, named the 2009 North American Car of the Year.

The 6th Generation Hyundai Sonata was awarded 'Top Safety Pick' from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States.[17] .

The Hyundai Elantra was crowned North American Car of the Year at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show.

The Hyundai Tiburon, also known as the Tuscani in South Korea and as the coupe in Great Britain. it was discontinued in 2008.

The 2012 Hyundai Veloster is a compact 3-door sports car first produced in 2011 as a replacement for the discontinued Hyundai Tiburon.

The Hyundai Tucson, also known as ix35 in Europe and Brazil from second generation.

Hyundai Santa Fe was awarded the Top Pick by Consumer Reports in 2008.

A Hyundai Universe Space Luxury, the latest modern coach by Hyundai. Successor to the Hyundai Aero.

[edit]United States

Hyundai began selling cars in the United States on February 20, 1986, with a single model, the Hyundai Excel. The Excel was offered in a variety of trims and body styles. That year, Hyundai set a record of selling the most automobiles in its first year of business in the United States compared to any other car brand; total sales in 1986 were 168,882.

Initially well received, the Excel's faults soon became apparent; cost-cutting measures caused reliability to suffer. With an increasingly poor reputation for quality, Hyundai sales plummeted, and many dealerships either earned their profits on repairs or abandoned the product. At one point, Hyundai became the butt of many jokes (i.e. Hyundai stands for "Hope you understand nothing's driveable and inexpensive") and even made David Letterman's Top Ten Hilarious Mischief Night Pranks To Play In Space: No.8 – Paste a "Hyundai" logo on the main control panel.[18]

In response, Hyundai began investing 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) powertrain warranty (known as the Hyundai challenge) to its vehicles sold in the United States. By 2004, sales had dramatically increased, and the reputation of Hyundai cars improved. In 2004, Hyundai tied with Honda for initial

brand quality in a survey/study from J.D. Power and Associates, for having 102 problems per 1000 vehicles. This made Hyundai second in the industry, only behind Toyota, for initial vehicle quality. The company continued this tradition by placing third overall in J.D. Power's 2006 Initial Quality Survey, behind only Porsche and Lexus.[19] Hyundai is ranked number 4 in World's Most Admired Companies under the motor vehicles section of CNN, after BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke), Volkswagen, and Daimler in 2011.

Hyundai continues to invest heavily in its American operations as its cars grow in popularity. In 1990, Hyundai established the Hyundai Design Center in Fountain Valley, California. 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. Besides the design studio, the facility also housed Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI, established in 1986), 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. Later that same year, HATCI announced that it would be expanding its technical operations in Michigan and hiring 600 additional engineers and other technical employees over a period of five years. The center also has employees in California and Alabama.

Hyundai America Technical Center completed construction of its Hyundai/Kia proving ground in California City, California in 2004. The 4,300-acre (17 km2) facility is located in the Mojave Desert and features a 6.4-mile (10.3 km) oval track,[5] 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. An aerial view can be found here.[20] Hyundai completed an assembly plant just outside Montgomery, Alabama in 2004, with a grand opening on May 20, 2005, at a cost of $1.1 billion. At full capacity, the plant will employ 2,000 workers. Currently, the plant assembles the Hyundai Sonata and the Hyundai Santa Fe. It is Hyundai's second attempt at producing cars in North America since Hyundai Auto Canada Inc.'s plant in Quebec closed in 1993.

In 2003, Consumer Reports, based on complaints about 2002 model new cars that in general are less than one year usage, ranked Hyundai's reliability tied with Honda's; however, J.D. Power and Associates put Hyundai's 2002 vehicles below the industry average according to its annual Initial Quality Survey, which looks at problems in the first 90 days of ownership.[21]

In 2006, J.D. Power and Associates' quality ranking, overall the Hyundai brand ranked 3rd, just behind Porsche and Lexus, and beating longtime rival Toyota.[22] But Hyundai's ranking fell to twelfth in 2007.[23] However, in 2009, Hyundai was the Highest Ranked Non-Premium Nameplate in the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study.[24]

In the 2007 Strategic Vision Total Quality Awards, Hyundai Motor leads the most vehicle segments in Strategic Vision's Total Quality Index, measuring the ownership experience. They attempt to measure more than just the number of problems per vehicle. Hyundai tops in Strategic Vision Total Quality Awards. For the first time ever, Hyundai has risen to share the position of having the most models

leading a segment. three models with the top Total Quality Index (TQI) score in their segments, including the Hyundai Azera, Entourage, Santa Fe.[25][26]

In 2007 at the New York International Auto Show, Hyundai unveiled its V8 rear-drive luxury sedan called the Concept Genesis to be slotted above the Azera in the Hyundai line-up. This concept made its American debut in mid-2008. The Genesis reintroduced rear-wheel drive to the Hyundai range following a long period of only producing front-wheel drive cars.[27]

In 2007 at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, Hyundai unveiled its second rear-drive concept car, the Concept Genesis Coupe, will be Hyundai's first sports car due to make its debut in early 2009.[28]

In 2008, Hyundai Santa Fe and Hyundai Elantra were awarded 2008 Consumer Reports "top picks". The magazine's annual ratings, based on road tests and predicted safety and reliability are considered highly influential among consumers.[29] The Hyundai Elantra was Consumer Reports' top-ranked 2008 vehicle among 19 other compacts and small family cars, beating out the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Toyota Prius.[30]

In 2008, at the North American International Auto Show, the production version of the luxury & performance-oriented Hyundai Genesis sedan made its debut, dealerships will have the Genesis as soon as summer 2008. In 2008, at the New York International Auto Show, Hyundai debuted its production version of the performance-oriented rear-drive Hyundai Genesis Coupe, slated to hit dealerships in early 2009.

On January 6, Hyundai reported sales of December 2008 fell to 24,037, from 46,487 in previous year and sales for the year dropped 14%, a day after the company launched 'Hyundai Assurance' in order to spark sales amid tough economic conditions.[31]

In 2009 Hyundai announced the five-door hatchback variant of the Elantra compact sedan will carry the name Elantra Touring when it goes on sale in the spring as a 2009 model.[32]

In 2009, the Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan was named 2009 North American Car of the Year, the first for Hyundai.[33] The Genesis has received a number of well-recognized automobile awards worldwide. It also won the 2009 Canadian Car of the Year after winning its category of Best New Luxury Car under $50,000.[34] The Hyundai's V8 Tau engine in the Genesis, which develops 375 hp (280 kW) on premium fuel and 368 hp (274 kW) on regular fuel, received 2009 Ward's 10 Best Engines award.[35]

In 2009, 4 models from Hyundai and two from Kia, earned the Top Safety Award by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).[36]

In 2009, Hyundai/Kia vehicles were named as "least expensive vehicles to insure". Hyundai/Kia vehicles were the least expensive to insure and occupied the 'top five' least expensive slots, said Insure.com.[37]

In 2009, According to a preliminary report from the Environmental Protection Agency published in November 2009, which is based on 2009 pre-model year production projections provided by automakers,[38] Hyundai, at an average of 23.4 mpg-US (10.1 L/100 km; 28.1 mpg-imp), is the second

most fuel-efficient automaker in America, after Honda's combined U.S. fleet of Honda and Acura models at an average of 23.6 mpg-US (9.97 L/100 km; 28.3 mpg-imp).[39]

In 2010, a Consumer Reports reliability survey ranked Hyundai (including Kia) as the fourth-best automaker. The ratings reflect the performance, comfort, utility and reliability of more than 280 vehicles that the magazine recently tested.[40]

In 2010, the Hyundai Equus made its North American debut at the North American International Auto Show

In January 2012, the Hyundai Elantra was named the North American Car of the Year at the North American International Auto Show, selling more than 200,000 cars since the model's redesigned debut.[41]

[edit]Hyundai in Canada

In 1989, Hyundai Auto Canada Inc. opened a stamping and assembly plant in Bromont, Quebec, employing 800. The plant cost $387.7 million, with Quebec and Canadian federal government subsidies of $131 million.[42] The plant was designed to manufacture approximately 2000 Hyundai Sonatas per week.[42] Subsequently, Chrysler and Hyundai considered a joint venture that would have Chrysler rebranding the Sonata manufactured at Bromont – only to later announce the deal had failed.[43] The Bromont plant was operational for four years before it closed – with Hyundai's sales unable to support the plant. With boost in Sales in 2009, Hyundai Auto Canada Inc. is currently planning to build a new plant in Canada and resume production in Canada.[44] Hyundai subsequently sold the plant,[44] which was eventually purchased by Olymbec inc, a Quebec real estate developer.

Hyundai's manufacturing plant at Irungattukottai near Sriperumbudur, India.

[edit]Hyundai In India

Hyundai Motor India Limited is currently the second largest auto exporter in India.[45] It is making India the global manufacturing base for small cars. Hyundai sells several models in India, the most popular being the Santro Xing, i10 and the i20. Other models include Getz Prime, Accent, Terracan, Elantra (Discontinued), second generation Verna, Tucson, Santa Fe and the Sonata Transform. 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 Andhra pradesh, employing now nearly 450 engineers from different parts of the country. Hyundai Motor India Engineering (HMIE) gives technical & engineering support in Vehicle development and CAD & CAE support to Hyundai's main R&D center in Namyang Korea. In 2010, Hyundai started its design activities at Hyderabad R&D Center with Styling, Digital Design & Skin CAD Teams.

South Korean car maker Hyundai, which as per reports is also world’s fastest growing automaker and fourth largest car manufacturer across the globe, has launched a new car, Hyundai EON in October in India. Eon is an entry-level car but at the same time it is very spacious with a large boot. The car has 814 cc engine, promising to deliver the mileage of over 20 km per litre.[46]

[edit]Hyundai in Europe

On November 2008, Hyundai opened its European plant in Nošovice, Czech Republic, following an investment of over 1 billion euros and over two years of construction.[47][48] The plant, which mainly manufactures the i30 for the European market, has an annual capacity of 300,000 cars.[49] The new Hyundai plant is 90 kilometers north of Kia Motors' Žilina Plant in Slovakia.

[edit]Hyundai in Turkey

The opening of the first manufacturing plant in Turkey, located in İzmit, was done on the September 20, 1997 and due to the unexpectedly high demand a second plant was opened later in Kozyatağı, in collaboration with Isuzu Anadol, for CKD assembling only. The joint venture in Turkey is called Hyundai Assan Otomotiv.

[edit]Hyundai in Egypt

Hyundai cars are manufactured in Egypt also, the local manufacturer of these vehicles is the Ghabbour Group, which is located in Cairo. They have a big model range and offers sports models of some car models which are only offered on the Egypt market. Formerly, the company had assembled vehicles such as Verna.

[edit]Hyundai In Russia

In Russia the production of Hyundai Accent, Sonata, Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Santa Fe cars is taking place at TagAZ plant under contract till 2010 in Taganrog, and continued afterwards.[50] In 2007 started construction of car plant in Saint Petersburg with yearly capacity of 100,000 cars, and it has been completed in 2010.[51]

[edit]Hyundai in China

Hyundai models sell well in China.[citation needed] Hyundai is currently working with its Chinese partner Beijing Automobile Industry Holding Co. to develop an electric car for sale only in China.[52][53] In September 2011, it was announced that Korean celebrity Lee Min Ho, who is popular in China, will promote Hyundai's new 'Veloster' in China.[54]

[edit]Beijing Hyundai

A joint venture with Beijing Automotive Group,[55] Beijing Hyundai Motor manufactures many Hyundai vehicles,[citation needed] as well as a few models which are exclusive to the Chinese market.[56] This company sold 700,000 passenger cars in 2010.[57] Hyundai-branded SUVs were sold by a different company.

[edit]Hawtai partnership

Between 2002[58]-2010[59] Hawtai Motor made Chinese-market versions of the Hyundai Matrix,[60] the Hyundai Santa Fe[58][61] and the Hyundai Terracan.[58][61] The Santa Fe was the fifth most-purchased SUV in China in 2010,[62] and some of Hawtai's versions may greatly differ from those sold in other markets.[63]

[edit]Commercial vehicles

In October 2010, Hyundai signed agreement with Sichuan Nanjun Automobile on setting up a commercial vehicle joint venture—Sichuan Hyundai Motor Co., Ltd.[53]

[edit]Hyundai in Japan

Despite having growing sales worldwide, Hyundai struggled in Japan, having sold only 15,000 passenger cars from 2001 to 2009.[64] Following an announcement on November 2009, Hyundai pulled their passenger car division out of the Japanese market and focused on their commercial vehicle division instead.[64] The company said that it is possible for them to come back to Japan fully if market conditions continue to improve.[65]

[edit]Hyundai in the Philippines

Hyundai continues to dominate the Philippine automobile market through their newly introduced models. Hyundai is currently the third top selling automotive brand in the country. Hyundai's Getz, i10, Accent, SantaFe, Sonata, and Grand Starex were among the models which brought Hyundai to the 3rd spot. Hyundai almost doubled its sales in 2010 with 11,086 in 2009 to a whopping 20,712. Hyundai becomes the fastest growing automotive brand in the country.[citation needed]

[edit]Hyundai in New Zealand

A growing market for Hyundai's cars, sales in New Zealand were up 27% in late 2011, compared to 2010 sales.[66]

[edit]Electric vehicles

The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid uses an advanced form-fitting light-weight lithium polymer battery opposed to usual boxy Lithium-ion battery found in other Hybrid vehicles.

The Hyundai BlueOn electric car (Hyundai i10 EV) at the 2010 Seoul Motor Show.

Main articles: Hybrid electric vehicle and Electric vehicle

The new hybrid electric Sonata made its debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show in November 2008. featuring lithium polymer battery technology.[67]The 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid sales in the U.S. began near the end of February 2011.

Hyundai began producing hybrid electric vehicles in 2009. The company is using Hybrid Blue Drive, which includes lithium polymer batteries, as opposed to lithium-ion.[68][69][70] The Avante was the first vehicle to be produced. Other are the Santa Fe Hybrid, the Elantra, Sonata Hybrid and the Hyundai i20, which will replace the Hyundai Getz.

Hyundai Elantra LPI Hybrid (or Avante in the local market) was launched in the South Korean domestic market in July 2009. The Elantra LPI (Liquefied Petroleum Injected) is the world's first hybrid electric vehicle to be powered by an internal combustion engine built to run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as a fuel. The Elantra PLI is a mild hybrid and the first hybrid to adopt advanced lithium polymer (Li–Poly) batteries.[71][72]

The Hyundai Blue Will plug-in hybrid has made its U.S. debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit 2010.[73][74]

At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, Hyundai unveiled the i-flow, a concept car using a variant of the BLUE-WILL hybrid system. The i-flow Concept uses a 1.7-liter twin-turbo diesel engine along with electric batteries to achieve fuel economy of 3 litres per 100 kilometres (94 mpg-imp; 78 mpg-US). Hyundai says a production car based on the i-flow's design will be in production by 2011.[75]

The Hyundai BlueOn is a subcompact 5-door hatchback electric car produced by Hyundai Motor Company.The prototype, an electric version of i10, was first unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009. The pre-production testing model was unveiled in Seoul in September 2010, when the first of 30 units were delivered to South Korean government agencies for field testing. The carmaker plans to build 2,500 units by the end of 2012. The BlueOn is equipped with a LG 16.4 kWh lithium polymer (Li–Poly) battery pack and charges in 6 hours with a 220 V power outlet and in 25 minutes to 80% with three-phase electric power (in a 380 V outlet). The maximum speed is 130 km/h (81 mph) and 0-100 km/h is achieved in 13.1 seconds. According to Hyundai Motor Company, the total investment to developed the BlueOn, its first production electric car, was around 40 billion won (US$34.3 million).[76][77]

This section requires expansion. (September 2010)

[edit]Environmental record

On April 23, 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 program.Hyundai also made electric car concept i10 recently.[78][79]

Hyundai Motor plans to aid Chevron Corporation in the construction of up to six hydrogen fueling stations that will be located in California, including locations at the University of California-Davis and the Hyundai America Technical Center in Chino. Hyundai is going to provide a collection of 32 Tucson fuel cell vehicles, which are powered by UTC Fuel Cell power plants.[80]

[edit]Motorsport

Alister McRae driving an Accent WRC at the 2001 Rally Finland.

Hyundai entered motorsport by competing in the F2 class of the World Rally Championship in 1998 and 1999. In September 1999, Hyundai unveiled the Accent WRC, a World Rally Car based on the Hyundai Accent. The Hyundai World Rally Team debuted the car at the 2000 Swedish Rally and achieved their first top-ten result at that year's Rally Argentina, when Alister McRae and Kenneth Eriksson finished seventh and eighth, respectively. Eriksson later drove the car to fifth place in New Zealand and fourth in Australia. In 2001, Hyundai debuted a new evolution of the Accent WRC, which was intended to improve reliability, but the performance of the car was still not good enough to challenge the four big teams (Ford, Mitsubishi, Peugeot and Subaru). However, at the season-ending Rally GB, the team achieved their best result with McRae finishing fourth and Eriksson sixth.

For the 2002 season, Hyundai hired the four-time world champion Juha Kankkunen, along with Freddy Loix and Armin Schwarz. Kankkunen's fifth place in New Zealand was the team's best result, but they managed to edge out Škoda and Mitsubishi by one point in the battle for fourth place in the manufacturers' world championship. In September 2003, after a season hampered by budget constraints, Hyundai announced withdrawal from the WRC and planned to return in 2006, which did not happen.[81]

In 2006, following the announcement that Korea was scheduled to earn a Formula One Grand Prix, Hyundai planned to enter the sport.[82] The Korean Grand Prix was first held in 2010, but Hyundai have not entered the championship. Hyundai announced they would be revealing their future rally plans at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show, on February 9.[83] The current plans for rallying are focused around the newest Hyundai release, the Veloster.[84]

[edit]Model lineup

Accent/Verna

Atos/Atoz/Santro

Coupé/Tiburon/Tuscani

Dynasty

Elantra/Avante/Lantra

Eon

Equus/Centennial (Originally a joint project of Hyundai and Mitsubishi)[85]

Excel

Genesis

Genesis Coupe

Getz/Click/Getz Prime/TB

Grandeur/Azera/XG (Originally a joint project of Hyundai and Mitsubishi)

i10

i20

i30/i30cw/Elantra Touring

Hyundai i40

Lavita/Matrix

Pony

Santamo (Rebadged Mitsubishi Chariot; originally produced by Hyundai Precision Industry)

Sonata/i45

Stellar

Veloster

Hyundai Eon

Hyundai i10

Hyundai i20

Hyundai i30

Hyundai i40

Hyundai Veloster Turbo

Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Hyundai Genesis

Hyundai Equus Limousine

[edit]SUVs and vans

Entourage (Similar to the Kia Sedona)

Galloper (Rebadged Mitsubishi Pajero; originally produced by Hyundai Precision Industry)

Grace (1st generation was a rebadged Mitsubishi Delica)

H-1/H-200/iMax/i800/Libero/Satellite/Starex

HD1000 (Minibus/Porter)

Porter (1st generation was a rebadged Mitsubishi Delica)

Santa Fe

Starex/Grand Starex/i800/H-1

Terracan

Trajet

Tucson/JM/ix35

Veracruz/ix55

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai Veracruz

Hyundai Terracan

Hyundai Starex

[edit]Commercial vehicles

HM 1620 urban bus

HM 1630 suburban bus

Hyundai 4.5 to 5-ton truck (Rebadged Mitsubishi Fuso Fighter)

Hyundai 8 to 25-ton truck (Rebadged Mitsubishi Fuso Super Great)

Aero (Rebadged Mitsubishi Fuso Aero Bus)

Aero City

Aero Town (e-Aero Town)

Bison & 3ton Truck

Chorus

County (e-County)

Hyundai DQ-7

e-Mighty

Hyundai FB

HD160

HD170

Mega Truck

New Power Truck

Nova (made by Ghabbour Group in Egypt[86])

Mighty (Rebadged Mitsubishi Fuso Canter)

Mighty II

Hyundai RB

Super Truck Medium

Super Truck

Trago

Universe

O303 Benz Bus

[edit]Concept car

HCD-I

HCD-II

HCD-III

HCD-6

HCD-7

HCD-8

HCD-9 Talus

i-oniq[87]

[edit]Corporate social responsibility

In 2008, Hyundai Motors established a committee to oversee its Corporate Social Responsibility program.[88] Among the program's initiatives have been the "Happy Move Global Youth Volunteers Program".[89]

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.[90] It has been ranked as 43rd most trusted brand in India by The Brand Trust Report, India study 2011.[91]

[edit]Controversies

In 2007, Chung Ju-yung's son Chung Mong-koo was convicted of embezzlement after taking money from Hyundai Motors to run slush funds. His initial three year jail sentence was reduced to community service and a $1 billion donation to charity.[92]