Hyundai Motor Company (
HangulHangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean...
: 현대 자동차 주식회사) (Hancha : 現代自動車株式會社) is a Korean
multinationalA multi national corporation or enterprise , is a corporation or an enterprise that manages production or delivers services in more than one country. It can also be referred to as an international corporation...
automaker based in Seoul, South Korea which, along with
KiaKia Motors , headquartered in Seoul, is South Korea's second-largest automobile manufacturer, following the Hyundai Motor Company, with sales of over 1.4 million vehicles in 2010...
, comprises the
Hyundai Kia Automotive GroupThe Hyundai Kia Automotive Group is South Korea's largest automobile manufacturer, the second largest automaker in Asia after Toyota and the world's fourth largest automaker after Toyota, GM, and Volkswagen as of the end of 2010...
, the world's fourth largest automaker as of 2009. As of 2011, it is the world's fastest growing automaker for two years running. In 2008, Hyundai (without Kia) ranked as the eighth largest automaker.
Headquartered in
SeoulSeoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
,
South KoreaThe Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, Hyundai operates the world's largest integrated automobile manufacturing facility in
UlsanUlsan , officially the Ulsan Metropolitan City, is South Korea's seventh largest metropolis with a population of over 1.1 million. It is located in the south-east of the country, neighboring Busan to the south and facing Gyeongju to the north and the Sea of Japan to the east.Ulsan is the...
, which is capable of producing 1.6 million units annually. The company employs about 75,000 persons around the world. Hyundai vehicles are sold in 193 countries through some 6,000
dealershipA car dealership or vehicle local distribution is a business that sells new or used cars at the retail level, based on a dealership contract with an automaker or its sales subsidiary. It employs automobile salespeople to do the selling...
s and
showroomThe word showroom has two distinct meanings including:-Marketing location:A showroom is a large space used to display products for sale, such as automobiles, furniture, appliances, carpet or apparel. The World's most famous locations for a showroom are the Champs Elysees in Paris or the 5th Avenue...
s worldwide. In 2010, Hyundai sold over 3.6 million vehicles worldwide.
History
Chung Ju-YungChung Ju-yung was a South Korean businessman and the the founder of Hyundai Group.-Early life:Chung Ju-yung was born in Tongchon, Kangwŏn province , during a time when Korea was under Japanese rule. Born to a large impoverished family of peasants, he was the oldest out of six children...
founded the Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company in 1947. Hyundai Motor Company was later established in 1967. The company's first model, the
CortinaAs the 1960s dawned, BMC were revelling in the success of their new Mini – the first successful true minicar to be built in Britain in the postwar era...
, was released in cooperation with
Ford Motor CompanyFord Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
in 1968. When Hyundai wanted to develop their own car, they hired
George TurnbullSir George Henry Turnbull, CEng, FIMechE was a UK automobile executive best remembered in the UK for his period as Managing Director of the Austin-Morris Division of British Leyland....
, 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 CrosthwaiteJohn Crosthwaite was an English race car designer and engineer, active in both the United Kingdom and the United States.John worked with Cooper Cars, Colin Chapman at Team Lotus, and Mickey Thompson as well as drivers Graham Hill, Dan Gurney, and Jackie Stewart. He designed and built cars for...
ex-BRM as chassis engineer and Peter Slater as chief development engineer.
In 1975, the
PonyThe Hyundai Pony , was a small rear-wheel drive automobile produced by the Hyundai Motor Company from 1975 to 1988 .-Background:...
, the first Korean car, was released, with styling by Giorgio Giugiaro of ItalDesign and powertrain technology provided by Japan's
Mitsubishi Motorsis a multinational automaker headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. In 2009 it was the fifth-largest Japan-based automaker and the 17th-largest in the world measured by production...
. Exports began in the following year to
EcuadorEcuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
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 1986, Hyundai exported the
PonyThe Hyundai Pony , was a small rear-wheel drive automobile produced by the Hyundai Motor Company from 1975 to 1988 .-Background:...
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
ExcelThe Hyundai Excel , also known as the Hyundai Pony, Hyundai Presto and the Mitsubishi Precis, was the first front wheel drive car produced by Hyundai. The Excel was built from 1985 to 1994...
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
SonataThe Hyundai Sonata is a mid-size car/full-size car manufactured and marketed globally by Hyundai Motor Company. From the sixth generation onwards, it is known as the i45 in the Australian, Singaporean and New Zealand markets...
.
In 1996,
Hyundai Motor India LimitedHyundai Motor India Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Hyundai Motor Company in India. It is the 2nd largest automobile manufacturer in India after Maruti Suzuki.-History:...
was established with a production plant in Irungattukottai near
ChennaiChennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
, India.
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. 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 100000 miles (160,934 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 AssociatesJ.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services firm founded in 1968 by James David Power III. The firm conducts surveys of customer satisfaction, product quality, and buyer behavior for industries ranging from cars to marketing and advertising firms. The firm is best known for...
. 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 CupThe FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
.
In 2006, the South Korean government initiated an investigation of Chung Mong Koo's practices as head of Hyundai, suspecting him of
corruptionIn criminology, corporate crime refers to crimes committed either by a corporation , or by individuals acting on behalf of a corporation or other business entity...
. On April 28, 2006, Chung was arrested, and charged for
embezzlementEmbezzlement is the act of dishonestly appropriating or secreting assets by one or more individuals to whom such assets have been entrusted....
of 100 billion
South Korean wonThe won is the currency of South Korea. A single won is divided into 100 jeon, the monetary subunit. The jeon is no longer used for everyday transactions, and appears only in foreign exchange rates...
(US$106 million). 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.
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.
Business
In 1998, after a shake-up in the Korean auto industry caused by overambitious expansion and the Asian financial crisis, Hyundai acquired rival
Kia MotorsKia Motors , headquartered in Seoul, is South Korea's second-largest automobile manufacturer, following the Hyundai Motor Company, with sales of over 1.4 million vehicles in 2010...
. In 2000, the company established a strategic alliance with
DaimlerChryslerDaimler AG is a German car corporation. By unit sales, it is the thirteenth-largest car manufacturer and second-largest truck manufacturer in the world. In addition to automobiles, Daimler manufactures buses and provides financial services through its Daimler Financial Services arm...
and severed its partnership with the
Hyundai GroupHyundai Group is a South Korean conglomerate founded by Chung Ju-yung. The first company in the group was founded in 1947 as a construction company. With government assistance, Chung and his family members rapidly expanded into various industries, eventually becoming South Korea's second biggest...
. 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 developmentThe phrase research and development , according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, refers to "creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of...
centers in Europe, Asia, North America, and the
Pacific RimThe Pacific Rim refers to places around the edge of the Pacific Ocean. The term "Pacific Basin" includes the Pacific Rim and islands in the Pacific Ocean...
. In 2004, Hyundai Motor Company had $57.2 billion in sales in
South KoreaThe Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
making it the country's second largest corporation, or
chaebolChaebol refers to a South Korean form of business conglomerate. They are global multinationals owning numerous international enterprises. The term is often used in a context similar to that of the English word "conglomerate"...
. 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
dealershipA car dealership or vehicle local distribution is a business that sells new or used cars at the retail level, based on a dealership contract with an automaker or its sales subsidiary. It employs automobile salespeople to do the selling...
s and
showroomThe word showroom has two distinct meanings including:-Marketing location:A showroom is a large space used to display products for sale, such as automobiles, furniture, appliances, carpet or apparel. The World's most famous locations for a showroom are the Champs Elysees in Paris or the 5th Avenue...
s. After a recent survey of global automotive sales, Hyundai is now the fourth largest automaker in the world as of 2009.
Hyundai Motor Company's 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.
United States
Hyundai began selling cars in the United States on February 20, 1986, with a single model, the
Hyundai ExcelThe Hyundai Excel , also known as the Hyundai Pony, Hyundai Presto and the Mitsubishi Precis, was the first front wheel drive car produced by Hyundai. The Excel was built from 1985 to 1994...
. The
ExcelThe Hyundai Excel , also known as the Hyundai Pony, Hyundai Presto and the Mitsubishi Precis, was the first front wheel drive car produced by Hyundai. The Excel was built from 1985 to 1994...
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 LettermanDavid Michael Letterman is an American television host and comedian. He hosts the late night television talk show, Late Show with David Letterman, broadcast on CBS. Letterman has been a fixture on late night television since the 1982 debut of Late Night with David Letterman on NBC...
's Top Ten Hilarious Mischief Night Pranks To Play In Space: No.8 – Paste a "Hyundai" logo on the main control panel.
In response, Hyundai began investing heavily in the quality, design, manufacturing, and long-term research of its vehicles. It added a 10-year or 100000 miles (160,934 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 AssociatesJ.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services firm founded in 1968 by James David Power III. The firm conducts surveys of customer satisfaction, product quality, and buyer behavior for industries ranging from cars to marketing and advertising firms. The firm is best known for...
, 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
PorschePorsche Automobil Holding SE, usually shortened to Porsche SE a Societas Europaea or European Public Company, is a German based holding company with investments in the automotive industry....
and
Lexusis the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. First introduced in 1989 in the United States, Lexus is now sold globally and has become Japan's largest-selling make of premium cars. The Lexus marque is marketed in over 70 countries and territories worldwide, and has...
.
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, CaliforniaFountain Valley is a city in Orange County, California. The population was 55,313 at the 2010 census. A classic bedroom community, Fountain Valley is a middle-class residential area.- History :...
. The center moved to a new $30 million facility in
Irvine, CaliforniaIrvine is a suburban incorporated city in Orange County, California, United States. It is a planned city, mainly developed by the Irvine Company since the 1960s. Formally incorporated on December 28, 1971, the city has a population of 212,375 as of the 2010 census. However, the California...
in 2003, and was renamed the Hyundai
Kia MotorsKia Motors , headquartered in Seoul, is South Korea's second-largest automobile manufacturer, following the Hyundai Motor Company, with sales of over 1.4 million vehicles in 2010...
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 200000 square feet (18,580.6 m²), $117 million headquarters in
Superior Township, MichiganSuperior Charter Township is a charter township of Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 10,740 at the 2000 census....
(near
Ann ArborAnn Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Washtenaw County. The 2010 census places the population at 113,934, making it the sixth largest city in Michigan. The Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 344,791 as of 2010...
) in 2005. Later that same year, HATCI announced that it would be expanding its technical operations in
MichiganMichigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
and hiring 600 additional engineers and other technical employees over a period of five years. The center also has employees in California and
AlabamaAlabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
.
Hyundai America Technical Center completed construction of its Hyundai/Kia proving ground in
California City, California-2000:According to the census of 2000, there were 8,385 people, 3,067 households, and 2,257 families residing in the city. As of 2006 the city's population grew 8.9% from 12,106 to 13,219. California City outpaced rivals Palmdale and Lancaster, making the city the 12th fastest growing city in...
in 2004. The 4300 acres (17.4 km²) facility is located in the
Mojave DesertThe Mojave Desert occupies a significant portion of southeastern California and smaller parts of central California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah and northwestern Arizona, in the United States...
and features a 6.4 miles (10.3 km) oval track, a Vehicle Dynamics Area, a vehicle-handling course inside the oval track, a paved hill road, and several special surface roads. A 30000 square feet (2,787.1 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. Hyundai completed an assembly plant just outside
Montgomery, AlabamaMontgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is located on the Alabama River southeast of the center of the state, in the Gulf Coastal Plain. As of the 2010 census, Montgomery had a population of 205,764 making it the second-largest city...
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 SonataThe Hyundai Sonata is a mid-size car/full-size car manufactured and marketed globally by Hyundai Motor Company. From the sixth generation onwards, it is known as the i45 in the Australian, Singaporean and New Zealand markets...
and the
Hyundai Santa FeThe Hyundai Santa Fe is a mid-size crossover SUV based on the Hyundai Sonata platform. Named after the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico, it was introduced for the 2001 model year as Hyundai's first SUV, released at the same time as the Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute and Pontiac Aztek...
. It is Hyundai's second attempt at producing cars in North America since Hyundai Auto Canada Inc.'s plant in
QuebecQuebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
closed in 1993.
In 2003,
Consumer ReportsConsumer Reports is an American magazine published monthly by Consumers Union since 1936. It publishes reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services based on reporting and results from its in-house testing laboratory. It also publishes cleaning and general buying guides...
, based on complaints about 2002 model new cars that in general are less than one year usage, ranked Hyundai's reliability tied with
Hondais a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
'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.
In 2006,
J.D. Power and AssociatesJ.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services firm founded in 1968 by James David Power III. The firm conducts surveys of customer satisfaction, product quality, and buyer behavior for industries ranging from cars to marketing and advertising firms. The firm is best known for...
' quality ranking, overall the Hyundai brand ranked 3rd, just behind
PorschePorsche Automobil Holding SE, usually shortened to Porsche SE a Societas Europaea or European Public Company, is a German based holding company with investments in the automotive industry....
and
Lexusis the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. First introduced in 1989 in the United States, Lexus is now sold globally and has become Japan's largest-selling make of premium cars. The Lexus marque is marketed in over 70 countries and territories worldwide, and has...
, and beating longtime rival Toyota. But Hyundai's ranking fell to twelfth in 2007. However, in 2009, Hyundai was the Highest Ranked Non-Premium Nameplate in the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study.
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.
In 2007 at the New York International Auto Show, Hyundai unveiled its V8 rear-drive luxury sedan called the
Concept GenesisThe Hyundai Genesis is a full-size luxury car initially introduced as a concept car in the 2007 New York International Auto Show. Hyundai has introduced the vehicle worldwide, known internally as the BH model, and markets the Genesis as a "premium sports sedan". The Genesis is currently not...
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.
In 2007 at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, Hyundai unveiled its second rear-drive concept car, the
Concept Genesis CoupeThe Hyundai Genesis Coupé is a rear-wheel drive sports coupe from Hyundai Motor Company, released on October 13, 2008 for the Korean market. It is Hyundai's first rear-wheel drive sports coupe, and shares its basic platform with the Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan....
, will be Hyundai's first sports car due to make its debut in early 2009.
In 2008,
Hyundai Santa FeThe Hyundai Santa Fe is a mid-size crossover SUV based on the Hyundai Sonata platform. Named after the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico, it was introduced for the 2001 model year as Hyundai's first SUV, released at the same time as the Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute and Pontiac Aztek...
and
Hyundai ElantraLaunched in 1990 , the Elantra received a mid-term facelift in 1993.The Elantra was powered by a Mitsubishi-designed 1.6 L straight-4 This DOHC 16-valve 1.6 L unit produced 113 hp at 6000 rpm and could push the Elantra to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds...
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. The
Hyundai ElantraLaunched in 1990 , the Elantra received a mid-term facelift in 1993.The Elantra was powered by a Mitsubishi-designed 1.6 L straight-4 This DOHC 16-valve 1.6 L unit produced 113 hp at 6000 rpm and could push the Elantra to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds...
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.
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 CoupeThe Hyundai Genesis Coupé is a rear-wheel drive sports coupe from Hyundai Motor Company, released on October 13, 2008 for the Korean market. It is Hyundai's first rear-wheel drive sports coupe, and shares its basic platform with the Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan....
, 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.
In 2009 Hyundai announced the five-door hatchback variant of the
ElantraLaunched in 1990 , the Elantra received a mid-term facelift in 1993.The Elantra was powered by a Mitsubishi-designed 1.6 L straight-4 This DOHC 16-valve 1.6 L unit produced 113 hp at 6000 rpm and could push the Elantra to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds...
compact sedan will carry the name Elantra Touring when it goes on sale in the spring as a 2009 model.
In 2009, the
Hyundai GenesisThe Hyundai Genesis is a full-size luxury car initially introduced as a concept car in the 2007 New York International Auto Show. Hyundai has introduced the vehicle worldwide, known internally as the BH model, and markets the Genesis as a "premium sports sedan". The Genesis is currently not...
luxury sedan was named 2009
North American Car of the YearThe North American Car of the Year is an automobile award voted annually in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The jury consists of no more than 50 automotive journalists.-Example:-Pre-1994:-1994-1999:-2000-2009:...
, the first for Hyundai. The Genesis has received a number of well-recognized automobile awards worldwide. It also won the 2009
Canadian Car of the YearCanadian Car of the Year winners, as chosen by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada:-Canadian Car of the Year:-2011:Canadian Car of the Year winners, as chosen by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada:...
after winning its category of Best New Luxury Car under $50,000. The Hyundai's V8 Tau engine in the Genesis, which develops 375 hp on premium fuel and 368 hp on regular fuel, received 2009
Ward's 10 Best EnginesWard's 10 Best Engines is an annual list of the ten "best" automobile engines available in the U.S. market, that are selected by Ward's AutoWorld magazine. The list was started in 1994, and has been drawn every year since then....
award.
In 2009, 4 models from Hyundai and two from Kia, earned the Top Safety Award by the
Insurance Institute for Highway SafetyThe Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is a U.S. non-profit organization funded by auto insurers, established in 1959 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. It works to reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes, and the rate of injuries and amount of property damage in the crashes that...
(IIHS).
In 2009, Hyundai/Kia vehicles were named as "
least expensive vehicles to insureVehicle insurance is insurance purchased for cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other road vehicles. Its primary use is to provide financial protection against physical damage and/or bodily injury resulting from traffic collisions and against liability that could also arise therefrom...
". Hyundai/Kia vehicles were the least expensive to
insureVehicle insurance is insurance purchased for cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other road vehicles. Its primary use is to provide financial protection against physical damage and/or bodily injury resulting from traffic collisions and against liability that could also arise therefrom...
and occupied the 'top five' least expensive slots, said Insure.com.
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, Hyundai, at an average of 23.4 miles per US gallon, 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 miles per US gallon.
In 2010, a
Consumer ReportsConsumer Reports is an American magazine published monthly by Consumers Union since 1936. It publishes reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services based on reporting and results from its in-house testing laboratory. It also publishes cleaning and general buying guides...
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.
In 2010, the
Hyundai EquusThe Hyundai Equus , known as the Hyundai Centennial in the Middle East, is an upscale full-size luxury car that serves as the flagship model of Hyundai Motor Company worldwide, named after the Latin word for "horse". The Hyundai Equus is the largest and most expensive sedan in the company's lineup...
made its North American debut at the
North American International Auto ShowThe North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...
Hyundai in Canada
In 1989, Hyundai Auto Canada Inc. opened a stamping and assembly plant in
Bromont, QuebecBromont is a city in southwestern Quebec in Canada, 75 kilometres east of Montreal on Autoroute 10, bordering the Eastern Townships at the base of Mount Brome . The population as of the Canada 2006 Census was 6,049....
, employing 800. The plant cost $387.7 million, with Quebec and Canadian federal government subsidies of $131 million. The plant was designed to manufacture approximately 2000
Hyundai SonataThe Hyundai Sonata is a mid-size car/full-size car manufactured and marketed globally by Hyundai Motor Company. From the sixth generation onwards, it is known as the i45 in the Australian, Singaporean and New Zealand markets...
s per week. Subsequently,
Chrysler Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
and Hyundai considered a joint venture that would have Chrysler rebranding the Sonata manufactured at Bromont – only to later announce the deal had failed. 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. Hyundai subsequently sold the plant, which was eventually purchased by Olymbec inc, a Quebec real estate developer.
Hyundai In India
Hyundai Motor India LimitedHyundai Motor India Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Hyundai Motor Company in India. It is the 2nd largest automobile manufacturer in India after Maruti Suzuki.-History:...
is currently the second largest carmaker after Maruti Suzuki and largest auto exporter in India. It is making India the global manufacturing base for small cars.
Hyundai sells several models in India, the most popular being the Santro Xing,
i10The Hyundai i10 is a 5-door hatchback subcompact produced by the Hyundai Motor Company. It was launched in October 2007, replacing the Hyundai Atos in some markets.The i10 is produced in India at Hyundai's Chennai plant for the domestic and export markets...
and the
i20The Hyundai i20 is a supermini/subcompact car, made its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008 and went on the sale in December 2008 in India to fit between the i10 and i30. It is a front-wheel drive car, and is available in three and five door versions. The i20 replaces the Getz in most...
. Other models include Getz Prime,
AccentThe Hyundai Accent , or Hyundai Verna in South Korea, is a subcompact car produced by Hyundai. In Australia, the first generation models carried over the Hyundai Excel name used by the Accent's predecessor. The Accent was replaced in 2000 by the Hyundai Verna in South Korea, although most...
,
TerracanThe Hyundai Terracan is a SUV that was produced by Hyundai Motor Company from 2001 to 2007. It was based on the Hyundai Highland concept . The target market for the Terracan mainly consisted of middle aged people looking for a cheaper alternative to other urban SUV's such as the Ford Explorer...
,
ElantraLaunched in 1990 , the Elantra received a mid-term facelift in 1993.The Elantra was powered by a Mitsubishi-designed 1.6 L straight-4 This DOHC 16-valve 1.6 L unit produced 113 hp at 6000 rpm and could push the Elantra to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds...
(Discontinued), second generation Verna,
TucsonThe Hyundai Tucson , or ix35 in Europe, or Hyundai JM in Japan, is a compact crossover SUV built and marketed by the Hyundai Motor Corporation. In Hyundai's lineup, the Tucson fits below the Santa Fe and Veracruz....
,
Santa FeThe Hyundai Santa Fe is a mid-size crossover SUV based on the Hyundai Sonata platform. Named after the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico, it was introduced for the 2001 model year as Hyundai's first SUV, released at the same time as the Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute and Pontiac Aztek...
and the
Sonata TransformThe Hyundai Sonata is a mid-size car/full-size car manufactured and marketed globally by Hyundai Motor Company. From the sixth generation onwards, it is known as the i45 in the Australian, Singaporean and New Zealand markets...
. Hyundai has two manufacturing plants in India located at Sriperumbudur in the Indian state of
Tamil NaduTamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
. 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.Basically the 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.
The new Hyundai’s small car is sure to stir competition in the under Rs 3 lakh price range. Hyundai EON price has kept its price around Rs 2.5 lakh.
Hyundai in Europe
On November 2008, Hyundai opened its European plant in
NošoviceNošovice is a village in Frýdek-Místek District, Moravian-Silesian Region, Czech Republic, with a population of 970 .It lies on the Morávka River, in the historical region of Těšín Silesia ....
, Czech Republic, following an investment of over 1 billion euros and over two years of construction. The plant, which mainly manufactures the
i30The Hyundai i30 is a small family car by South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Company. The i30 shares its platform with the Kia cee'd, available as a five-door hatchback or estate, with a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines, either with manual or automatic transmissions.The i30 wagon is...
for the European market, has an annual capacity of 300,000 cars. The new Hyundai plant is 90 kilometers north of Kia Motors' Žilina Plant in Slovakia.
Hyundai in Turkey
The opening of the first manufacturing plant in Turkey, located in
İzmitİzmit is a city in Turkey, administrative center of Kocaeli Province as well as the Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality. It is located at the Gulf of İzmit in the Sea of Marmara, about east of Istanbul, on the northwestern part of Anatolia. The city center has a population of 294.875...
, 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 AnadolAnadolu Isuzu Automotive Industry & Trading A.Ş. is one of the leading medium-size coach manufacturing companies in Europe whose major shareholders are the Anadolu Group from Turkey, and Isuzu Motors and Itochu Co. from Japan. Its main fields of operation are the production and marketing of light...
, for CKD assembling only. The joint venture in Turkey is called
Hyundai Assan OtomotivThe Hyundai Assan Otomotiv San ve Tic. A.Ş. is a joint venture between the South Korean Hyundai Motor Company and Turkey's Kibar Holding. Starting initially as an importer in 1990, a decision was taken on 25 September 1995 to open an assembly plant in İzmit...
.
Hyundai in Egypt
Hyundai cars are manufactured in Egypt also, the local manufacturer of these vehicles is the
Ghabbour GroupThe Ghabbour Group is an Egyptian manufacturer of automobiles, buses, trucks and motorcycles located in Cairo.The company was founded by the brothers Kamal and Sadek Ghabbour because they realized that the automotive sector is a growing up market...
, which is located in
CairoCairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
. 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 from the
GMGeneral Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
concern.
Hyundai In Russia
In Russia the production of Hyundai
AccentThe Hyundai Accent , or Hyundai Verna in South Korea, is a subcompact car produced by Hyundai. In Australia, the first generation models carried over the Hyundai Excel name used by the Accent's predecessor. The Accent was replaced in 2000 by the Hyundai Verna in South Korea, although most...
,
SonataSonata , in music, literally means a piece played as opposed to a cantata , a piece sung. The term, being vague, naturally evolved through the history of music, designating a variety of forms prior to the Classical era...
,
Hyundai ElantraLaunched in 1990 , the Elantra received a mid-term facelift in 1993.The Elantra was powered by a Mitsubishi-designed 1.6 L straight-4 This DOHC 16-valve 1.6 L unit produced 113 hp at 6000 rpm and could push the Elantra to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds...
,
Hyundai Santa FeThe Hyundai Santa Fe is a mid-size crossover SUV based on the Hyundai Sonata platform. Named after the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico, it was introduced for the 2001 model year as Hyundai's first SUV, released at the same time as the Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute and Pontiac Aztek...
cars is taking place at
TagAZTagAZ is an automotive assembly plant located in Taganrog, Russia. Affiliated enterprises are the Rostov Truck Factory.- History :Construction of the Taganrog Automotive Plant began in Spring 1997, under license and technology of South Korean Daewoo Motors, and was fully financed by Doninvest...
plant under contract till 2010 in
TaganrogTaganrog is a seaport city in Rostov Oblast, Russia, located on the north shore of Taganrog Bay , several kilometers west of the mouth of the Don River. Population: -History of Taganrog:...
, and continued afterwards. In 2007 started construction of car plant in
Saint PetersburgSaint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
with yearly capacity of 100,000 cars, and it has been completed in 2010.
Hyundai in China
Hyundai models sell well in China. Hyundai is currently working with its Chinese partner Beijing Automobile Industry Holding Co. to develop an electric car for sale only in China.
In September 2011, it was announced that Korean celebrity
Lee Min HoLee Min Ho is a South Korean actor who is best known for his leading role in 2009 as 'Gu Jun Pyo', the leader of the group of students known as F4, in the South Korean television series Boys Over Flowers. He started his career in small drama roles in 2006, but he came to prominence with his acting...
, who is popular in China, will promote Hyundai's new 'Veloster' in China.
Beijing Hyundai
A joint venture with Beijing Automotive Group,
Beijing Hyundai MotorAn equally owned joint venture and subsidiary of Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co Ltd and Hyundai Motor Company, Beijing Hyundai Motor Company was established in 2002 and manufactures in Shunyi District, a satellite city of Beijing. Its Hyundai-branded automobiles are sold on the Chinese...
manufactures many Hyundai vehicles, as well as a few models which are exclusive to the Chinese market. This company sold 700,000 passenger cars in 2010. Hyundai-branded SUVs were sold by a different company.
Hawtai partnership
Between 2002-2010
Hawtai MotorRongcheng HawTai Automobile Co Ltd is a Chinese passenger vehicle maker from Shandong province. A former joint venture partner of Hyundai Motors, Hawtai continues to use technology from this Korean automaker as of 2010....
made Chinese-market versions of the
Hyundai MatrixThe Hyundai Lavita , also sold as the Hyundai Matrix in Europe and Southeast Asia, and as the Hyundai Elantra Lavita in Australia, is an MPV sold by the Hyundai Motor Company, and was mechanically related to the Mitsubishi RVR. The vehicle was designed by the Italian car designer company Pininfarina...
, the
Hyundai Santa FeThe Hyundai Santa Fe is a mid-size crossover SUV based on the Hyundai Sonata platform. Named after the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico, it was introduced for the 2001 model year as Hyundai's first SUV, released at the same time as the Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute and Pontiac Aztek...
and the
Hyundai TerracanThe Hyundai Terracan is a SUV that was produced by Hyundai Motor Company from 2001 to 2007. It was based on the Hyundai Highland concept . The target market for the Terracan mainly consisted of middle aged people looking for a cheaper alternative to other urban SUV's such as the Ford Explorer...
. The Santa Fe was the fifth most-purchased SUV in China in 2010, and some of Hawtai's versions may greatly differ from those sold in other markets.
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.
Hyundai in Japan
Despite having growing sales worldwide, Hyundai struggled in Japan, having sold only 15,000 passenger cars from 2001 to 2009. 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. The company said that it is possible for them to come back to Japan fully if market conditions continue to improve.
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.
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.
Electric vehicles
Since 2004, Hyundai has supplied about 3,000 hybrid versions of its
GetzThe Hyundai Getz is a supermini car produced by the Hyundai Motor Company, sold in most of the world except the U.S. or Canada...
and
AccentThe Hyundai Accent , or Hyundai Verna in South Korea, is a subcompact car produced by Hyundai. In Australia, the first generation models carried over the Hyundai Excel name used by the Accent's predecessor. The Accent was replaced in 2000 by the Hyundai Verna in South Korea, although most...
small cars to government fleets as part of a testing program. The automaker cites a lack of local tax benefits for purchasing hybrids as a barrier to its hybrid development program. But Hyundai expects the tax situation to change in 2009.
The new
hybrid electricA hybrid electric vehicle is a type of hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle which combines a conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system. The presence of the electric powertrain is intended to achieve either better fuel economy than a conventional...
SonataThe Hyundai Sonata is a mid-size car/full-size car manufactured and marketed globally by Hyundai Motor Company. From the sixth generation onwards, it is known as the i45 in the Australian, Singaporean and New Zealand markets...
made its debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show in November 2008. Hyundai expects to release it in the U.S. market in 2010, featuring lithium-ion battery technology.
Hyundai plan to begin producing
hybrid electric vehicleA hybrid electric vehicle is a type of hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle which combines a conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system. The presence of the electric powertrain is intended to achieve either better fuel economy than a conventional...
s in 2009. The company is going to use
Hybrid Blue Drive, which includes lithium polymer batteries, as opposed to lithium-ion. The
AvanteLaunched in 1990 , the Elantra received a mid-term facelift in 1993.The Elantra was powered by a Mitsubishi-designed 1.6 L straight-4 This DOHC 16-valve 1.6 L unit produced 113 hp at 6000 rpm and could push the Elantra to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds...
was be the first vehicle to be produced. Other are the
Santa Fe HybridThe Hyundai Santa Fe is a mid-size crossover SUV based on the Hyundai Sonata platform. Named after the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico, it was introduced for the 2001 model year as Hyundai's first SUV, released at the same time as the Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute and Pontiac Aztek...
, the
ElantraLaunched in 1990 , the Elantra received a mid-term facelift in 1993.The Elantra was powered by a Mitsubishi-designed 1.6 L straight-4 This DOHC 16-valve 1.6 L unit produced 113 hp at 6000 rpm and could push the Elantra to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds...
,
Sonata HybridThe Hyundai Sonata is a mid-size car/full-size car manufactured and marketed globally by Hyundai Motor Company. From the sixth generation onwards, it is known as the i45 in the Australian, Singaporean and New Zealand markets...
(to the U.S. market in 2010) and the
Hyundai i20The Hyundai i20 is a supermini/subcompact car, made its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008 and went on the sale in December 2008 in India to fit between the i10 and i30. It is a front-wheel drive car, and is available in three and five door versions. The i20 replaces the Getz in most...
, which will replace the
Hyundai GetzThe Hyundai Getz is a supermini car produced by the Hyundai Motor Company, sold in most of the world except the U.S. or Canada...
.
Hyundai began producing the Elantra LPI Hybrid (or
AvanteLaunched in 1990 , the Elantra received a mid-term facelift in 1993.The Elantra was powered by a Mitsubishi-designed 1.6 L straight-4 This DOHC 16-valve 1.6 L unit produced 113 hp at 6000 rpm and could push the Elantra to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds...
in the local market) was launched in the
South KoreaThe Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
n domestic market in July 2009. The Elantra LPI (Liquefied Petroleum Injected) is the world's first
hybrid electric vehicleA hybrid electric vehicle is a type of hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle which combines a conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system. The presence of the electric powertrain is intended to achieve either better fuel economy than a conventional...
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 hybridMild hybrids are essentially conventional fossil-fuel vehicles equipped with a large electric machine allowing the engine to be turned off whenever the car is coasting, braking, or stopped, yet restart quickly...
and the first hybrid to adopt advanced lithium polymer (Li–Poly) batteries.
The Hyundai Blue Will plug-in hybrid has made its U.S. debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit 2010.
In 2010 the company is going to launch the mass-market
Hyundai i10The Hyundai i10 is a 5-door hatchback subcompact produced by the Hyundai Motor Company. It was launched in October 2007, replacing the Hyundai Atos in some markets.The i10 is produced in India at Hyundai's Chennai plant for the domestic and export markets...
EV. Includes a LG 16 kW·h lithium-ion battery, for 100 miles (160.9 km) all electric range, and a 49 kW·h electric motor
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 L/100 km. Hyundai says a production car based on the i-flow's design will be in production by 2011.
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
desertificationDesertification is the degradation of land in drylands. Caused by a variety of factors, such as climate change and human activities, desertification is one of the most significant global environmental problems.-Definitions:...
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.
Hyundai Motor plans to aid
Chevron CorporationChevron Corporation is an American multinational energy corporation headquartered in San Ramon, California, United States and active in more than 180 countries. It is engaged in every aspect of the oil, gas, and geothermal energy industries, including exploration and production; refining,...
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.
Motorsport
Hyundai entered motorsport by competing in the F2 class of the
World Rally ChampionshipThe World Rally Championship is a rallying series organised by the FIA, culminating with a champion driver and manufacturer. The driver's world championship and manufacturer's world championship are separate championships, but based on the same point system. The series currently consists of 13...
in 1998 and 1999. In September 1999, Hyundai unveiled the Accent WRC, a
World Rally CarWorld Rally Car is a term used to describe racing automobiles built to the specification set by the FIA, the international motorsports governing body, and used to compete in the outright class of the World Rally Championship...
based on the
Hyundai AccentThe Hyundai Accent , or Hyundai Verna in South Korea, is a subcompact car produced by Hyundai. In Australia, the first generation models carried over the Hyundai Excel name used by the Accent's predecessor. The Accent was replaced in 2000 by the Hyundai Verna in South Korea, although most...
. The
Hyundai World Rally TeamHyundai 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...
debuted the car at the 2000
Swedish RallyThe Uddeholm Swedish Rally , formerly the Swedish Rally, is an automobile rally competition held in Värmland, Sweden in early February. First held in 1950, when it was called the Rally to the Midnight Sun with start and finish at separate locations, seventeen years later both start and finish...
and achieved their first top-ten result at that year's
Rally ArgentinaThe Rally Argentina is an Argentine rally competition that has been both a round of the World Rally Championship and also the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. The rally is also a round of the South American Rally Championship and the Argentine Rally Championship...
, when
Alister McRaeAlister McRae is a Scottish rally driver, who competed in the World Rally Championship. He is the son of the five-time British Rally Champion Jimmy McRae and the younger brother of the late 1995 World Rally Champion, Colin McRae...
and
Kenneth ErikssonKenneth Eriksson is a now retired World Rally Championship rally driver. He drove for several manufacturer teams, including the Subaru World Rally Team, Mitsubishi, Hyundai and Škoda...
finished seventh and eighth, respectively. Eriksson later drove the car to fifth place in
New ZealandThe Rally New Zealand was first held in Taupo in 1969, and was subsequently staged in Canterbury, before moving back to the North Island in 1971.The rally was included as a round of the World Championship in 1977...
and fourth in
AustraliaRally Australia is an automobile rally event which was held in and around Perth, Western Australia from 1988 until 2006, when that state's tourism commission severed its collaboration with the event. The rally was part of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship in 1988 and the World Rally Championship...
. 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,
MitsubishiRalliart was the high-performance and motorsports division of Mitsubishi Motors. It was responsible for development and preparation of the company's rally racing and off-road racing vehicles, as well as the development of high-performance models and parts available to the public...
,
PeugeotPeugeot Sport is the department of French carmaker Peugeot responsible for motorsport activities.-Beginnings in rallying:Peugeot Sport was formed in 1981 under the name of Peugeot Talbot Sport, after Jean Todt, a World Rally Championship co-driver for Talbot driver Guy Fréquelin, was asked by...
and
SubaruThe Subaru World Rally Team was Subaru's World Rally Championship team. It used a distinctive blue with yellow color scheme that is a throwback to the sponsorship deal with State Express 555, a BAT cigarette brand popular in Asia. 555 logos were found on Subaru cars from 1993 to 2003...
). However, at the season-ending
Rally GBWales Rally GB is the largest and most high profile motor rally in the United Kingdom. It is a round of the FIA World Rally Championship and was formerly a round of the MSA British Rally Championship and is based in and around the city of Cardiff in Wales...
, 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 KankkunenJuha Matti Pellervo Kankkunen is a Finnish former rally driver. His factory team career in the World Rally Championship lasted from 1983 to 2002. He won 23 world rallies and four drivers' world championship titles, which were both once records in the series...
, along with
Freddy LoixFreddy Loix is a Belgian rally driver.Loix's career in motor sport began in karting at the age of 15...
and
Armin SchwarzArmin Schwarz is a German rally driver. He competed in the World Rally Championship from 1988 to 2005, winning the 1991 Rally Catalunya and taking six other podium finishes...
. Kankkunen's fifth place in New Zealand was the team's best result, but they managed to edge out
ŠkodaŠkoda Motorsport is the division of Czech car manufacturer Škoda Auto responsible for motorsport activities. Škoda competed as a manufacturer in the World Rally Championship between 1999 and 2005, and today competes in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge....
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.
In 2006, following the announcement that Korea was scheduled to earn a
Formula OneFormula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
Grand Prix, Hyundai planned to enter the sport. The
Korean Grand PrixThe Korean Grand Prix is a Formula One race held in South Korea. After months of speculation, on October 2, 2006 it was confirmed that the event would actually take place in 2010, and would be hosted by the Korean International Circuit. It has also been revealed that the race will be promoted by a...
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. The current plans for rallying are focused around the newest Hyundai release, the
VelosterThe Hyundai Veloster is a compact sports car which began sales in South Korea since March 10, 2011 and in the United States at the summer of 2011. It is the first of Hyundai's new Premium Youth Lab sub-brand, which is targeted for the young generation of drivers. It became available for retail...
.
Model lineup
- Hyundai i40
The Hyundai i40 is a large family car designed for the European market by South Korean manufacturer Hyundai. Sharing its platform with the US Hyundai Sonata, the i40 is scheduled for launch after the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, initially as an estate and subsequently as a saloon...
- Pony
The Hyundai Pony , was a small rear-wheel drive automobile produced by the Hyundai Motor Company from 1975 to 1988 .-Background:...
- Atos/Atoz/Santro
The Hyundai Atos is a city car produced by Hyundai. The original Atos was introduced in 1997. In 1999, it was joined by the less controversially styled Atos Prime. It uses the G4HC Epsilon straight-4 engine. The second generation Atos Prime was launched in 2004...
- Click/Getz/Getz Prime/TB
- Accent
The Hyundai Accent , or Hyundai Verna in South Korea, is a subcompact car produced by Hyundai. In Australia, the first generation models carried over the Hyundai Excel name used by the Accent's predecessor. The Accent was replaced in 2000 by the Hyundai Verna in South Korea, although most...
- Verna/Accent
- Sonata/i45
The Hyundai Sonata is a mid-size car/full-size car manufactured and marketed globally by Hyundai Motor Company. From the sixth generation onwards, it is known as the i45 in the Australian, Singaporean and New Zealand markets...
- Stellar
The Hyundai Stellar was a mid-size rear-wheel drive automobile that was produced by the Hyundai Motor Company. The Stellar was launched in July 1983. The Stellar was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, but the chassis from the Cortina Mk V was kept.-Technology:The engine and transmission were licensed...
- Elantra/Avante/Lantra
Launched in 1990 , the Elantra received a mid-term facelift in 1993.The Elantra was powered by a Mitsubishi-designed 1.6 L straight-4 This DOHC 16-valve 1.6 L unit produced 113 hp at 6000 rpm and could push the Elantra to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds...
- i10
The Hyundai i10 is a 5-door hatchback subcompact produced by the Hyundai Motor Company. It was launched in October 2007, replacing the Hyundai Atos in some markets.The i10 is produced in India at Hyundai's Chennai plant for the domestic and export markets...
- i20
The Hyundai i20 is a supermini/subcompact car, made its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008 and went on the sale in December 2008 in India to fit between the i10 and i30. It is a front-wheel drive car, and is available in three and five door versions. The i20 replaces the Getz in most...
- i30/i30cw/Elantra Touring
The Hyundai i30 is a small family car by South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Company. The i30 shares its platform with the Kia cee'd, available as a five-door hatchback or estate, with a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines, either with manual or automatic transmissions.The i30 wagon is...
- Lavita/Matrix
- Santamo (Rebadged Mitsubishi Chariot
The Mitsubishi Chariot, is a five door, five/seven seat compact MPV produced by Mitsubishi Motors of Japan from 1983 to 2003. It was based on the SSW concept car first exhibited at the 23rd Tokyo Motor Show in 1979, and named for the battle chariots used during the times of the ancient Greek and...
; originally produced by Hyundai Precision IndustryHyundai Mobis was established in 1977 as Hyundai Precision & Industries Corporation. It is an auto parts company with headquarters based in Seoul, South Korea. In 2000, the company changed its name to Hyundai Mobis...
)
- Grandeur/Azera/XG
The New Grandeur and the third generation of the Mitsubishi Debonair were the products of a joint development between Hyundai and Mitsubishi Motors. Mitsubishi was responsible for the powertrain, and Hyundai was responsible for the body and trim design...
(Originally a joint project of Hyundai and Mitsubishi)
- Genesis
The Hyundai Genesis is a full-size luxury car initially introduced as a concept car in the 2007 New York International Auto Show. Hyundai has introduced the vehicle worldwide, known internally as the BH model, and markets the Genesis as a "premium sports sedan". The Genesis is currently not...
- Equus/Centennial
The Hyundai Equus , known as the Hyundai Centennial in the Middle East, is an upscale full-size luxury car that serves as the flagship model of Hyundai Motor Company worldwide, named after the Latin word for "horse". The Hyundai Equus is the largest and most expensive sedan in the company's lineup...
(Originally a joint project of Hyundai and Mitsubishiis a multinational automaker headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. In 2009 it was the fifth-largest Japan-based automaker and the 17th-largest in the world measured by production...
)
- Coupé/Tiburon/Tuscani
- Genesis Coupe
The Hyundai Genesis Coupé is a rear-wheel drive sports coupe from Hyundai Motor Company, released on October 13, 2008 for the Korean market. It is Hyundai's first rear-wheel drive sports coupe, and shares its basic platform with the Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan....
- Hyundai Getz
The Hyundai Getz is a supermini car produced by the Hyundai Motor Company, sold in most of the world except the U.S. or Canada...
- Excel
The Hyundai Excel , also known as the Hyundai Pony, Hyundai Presto and the Mitsubishi Precis, was the first front wheel drive car produced by Hyundai. The Excel was built from 1985 to 1994...
- Dynasty
The Hyundai Dynasty is a premium executive sedan that debuted in 1996. The features of the Dynasty were electronically controlled suspension, dual climate control, and power memory seats . In order to differentiate the Dynasty from its platform-shared Grandeur, Hyundai used a different badge for...
SUVs and vans
- Entourage
The Hyundai Entourage is a minivan marketed by Hyundai Motor Company in the North American market from model years 2007-2009.The Entourage is a rebadged variant of the second-generation Kia Sedona, manufactured at Kia's Sohari Plant. The minivan was briefly cancelled in August 2005, but...
(Similar to the Kia Sedona)
- Galloper
The Hyundai Galloper, also known as Galloper Exceed, Galloper Innovation and in Germany and Spain Mitsubishi Galloper is an SUV, built by Hyundai Motor Company between 1991 and 2003. It was a rebadged first generation Mitsubishi Pajero...
(Rebadged Mitsubishi PajeroThe Mitsubishi Pajero is a sport utility vehicle manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors. It was named after Leopardus pajeros, the Pampas Cat which is native to the Patagonia plateau region of southern Argentina. However, since pajero is an offensive term for "wanker" in Spanish, alternative names have...
; originally produced by Hyundai Precision Industry)
- Grace (1st generation was a rebadged Mitsubishi Delica
The Mitsubishi Delica is a range of trucks and multi-purpose vehicles built by Mitsubishi Motors since 1968. It was originally based on a small pickup truck introduced the previous year, also called the Delica, its name a contraction of the English language phrase Delivery car...
)
- H-1/H-200/iMax/i800/Libero/Satellite/Starex
Hyundai H-1 is a name used by Hyundai Motor Company in European export markets for three related models:* Hyundai Starex, a minibus/van* Hyundai Satellite, a minibus/van* Hyundai Libero, a pickup truck...
- HD1000 (Minibus/Porter)
- Porter
The Hyundai Porter , also known as the Hyundai H-100, is a pickup truck produced and built by the Hyundai Motor Company.-First Generation :...
(1st generation was a rebadged Mitsubishi DelicaThe Mitsubishi Delica is a range of trucks and multi-purpose vehicles built by Mitsubishi Motors since 1968. It was originally based on a small pickup truck introduced the previous year, also called the Delica, its name a contraction of the English language phrase Delivery car...
)
- Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a mid-size crossover SUV based on the Hyundai Sonata platform. Named after the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico, it was introduced for the 2001 model year as Hyundai's first SUV, released at the same time as the Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute and Pontiac Aztek...
- Starex/Grand Starex/i800/H-1
The Hyundai Starex is a van built by the Hyundai Motor Company in South Korea andIndonesia.First generation models were known in Europe as the Hyundai H-1 and as the Hyundai H200 in the Netherlands...
- Terracan
The Hyundai Terracan is a SUV that was produced by Hyundai Motor Company from 2001 to 2007. It was based on the Hyundai Highland concept . The target market for the Terracan mainly consisted of middle aged people looking for a cheaper alternative to other urban SUV's such as the Ford Explorer...
- Trajet
The Hyundai Trajet ) is a 7-seater multi-purpose vehicle that is manufactured by Hyundai Motor Company...
- Tucson/JM/ix35
The Hyundai Tucson , or ix35 in Europe, or Hyundai JM in Japan, is a compact crossover SUV built and marketed by the Hyundai Motor Corporation. In Hyundai's lineup, the Tucson fits below the Santa Fe and Veracruz....
- Veracruz/ix55
The Hyundai Veracruz is a crossover SUV produced by Hyundai from 2006. The Veracruz is sold in the United States, Canada, South Korea, China, Dominican Republic, Brazil, and the Middle East.- History :...
Commercial vehicles
- HM 1620 urban bus
- HM 1630 suburban bus
- Hyundai 4.5 to 5-ton truck
The Hyundai 4.5 to 5-ton truck is a line of medium-duty commercial vehicle by Hyundai Motor Company. The range was primarily available in cargo and dump truck...
(Rebadged Mitsubishi Fuso FighterThe Mitsubishi Fuso Fighter is a line of medium-duty commercial vehicle by Mitsubishi Fuso. The range was primarily available in other big-size and mid-size trucks....
)
- Hyundai 8 to 25-ton truck
The Hyundai 8 to 25-ton truck is a line of heavy-duty commercial vehicle by Hyundai Motor Company. The range was primarily available as cargo and dump truck...
(Rebadged Mitsubishi Fuso Super GreatThe Mitsubishi Fuso Super Great is a line of heavy-duty commercial vehicle by Mitsubishi Fuso. The range was primarily available in other big-size trucks....
)
- Aero
The Hyundai Aero is a large coach built by the Hyundai Motor Company. Its primary use is as a tourist bus.It is distinguishable by a front 'Aero' badge by Aero Space, Aero Express, and Aero Queen, but the common Hyundai badge is usually used on the rear.In Japan, Asia-Pacific, Mid-East, Africa,...
(Rebadged Mitsubishi Fuso Aero BusThe Mitsubishi Fuso Aero Bus is a series of heavy-duty tourist coach by Mitsubishi Fuso.In Japan, Asia-Pacific, Mid-East, Africa, South America, its principal competitors are Isuzu Gala, Nissan Diesel Space Arrow, Hino S'elega....
)
- Aero City
The Hyundai Aero City is a heavy-duty bus built by Hyundai Motor Company and primarily used as a city and intercity bus. It is distinguishable by a front 'Aero City' badge, but the common Hyundai badge is usually on the rear....
- Aero Town (e-Aero Town)
The Hyundai Aero Town is a medium-duty bus built by Hyundai Motor Company. It is primarily available as tourist buses.Externally it is distinguishable by a front 'Aero Town' badge, but the common Hyundai badge is usually used on the rear....
- Bison & 3ton Truck
- Chorus
The Hyundai Chorus is a minibus built by Hyundai Motor Company. The range was primarily available as tourist buses.Most models of the bus are distinguishable by a front 'Chorus' badge, but the common Hyundai badge is usually used on the rear....
- County (e-County)
The Hyundai County is a minibus built by Hyundai Motor Company. It is primarily available as city and tourist buses.In Japan, Asia-Pacific, Mid-East, Africa and South America, its principal competitors are Kia Combi, Asia Combi....
- Hyundai DQ-7
- e-Mighty
The Hyundai e-Mighty is a line of light-duty commercial vehicles by Hyundai Motor Company. The range was primarily available in Korea and some other Asian countries, although it is also presently sold in the United States. e-Mighty was first manufactured in October 2004 with the first cars going...
- Hyundai FB
The Hyundai FB is a range of front engine bus built by Hyundai Motor Company.They are commonly referred to as "FB" spelling in your Front engine Bus....
- HD160
- HD170
- Mega Truck
The Hyundai Mega Truck is a line of medium-duty commercial vehicle by Hyundai Motor Company. The range was primarily available as cargo and dump truck. Its model truck name is 'Hyundai'...
- New Power Truck
The Hyundai New Power Truck is a line of heavy-duty commercial vehicle by Hyundai Motor Company. The range was primarily available as cargo and dump truck...
- Nova (made by Ghabbour Group in Egypt)
- Mighty
The Hyundai Mighty is a line of light-duty commercial vehicle by Hyundai Motor Company. The range was primarily available in Korea and some other countries....
(Rebadged Mitsubishi Fuso CanterThe Mitsubishi Fuso Canter is a line of light-duty commercial vehicle by Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation. The range is currently marketed in Japan, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and a number of other Asian countries...
)
- Mighty II
The Hyundai Mighty II is a line of light-duty commercial vehicle by Hyundai Motor Company. The range was primarily available in Korea and some other Asian countries, although it was also sold in the United States during the late 1990s and up current...
- Hyundai RB
- Super Truck Medium
The Hyundai Super Truck Medium is a line of medium-duty commercial vehicle by Hyundai Motor Company. The range was primarily available as cargo and dump truck...
- Super Truck
The Hyundai Super truck is a line of heavy-duty commercial vehicle manufactured by Hyundai Motor Company from 1999 or 2001. The range was primarily available in cargo and dump truck...
- Trago
The Hyundai Trago is a line of heavy-duty commercial vehicle by Hyundai Motor Company in luxury commercial vehicle. The range was primarily available as luxury cargo and dump truck, tractor...
- Universe
The Hyundai Universe is a heavy-duty luxury bus built by Hyundai Motor Company. It is primarily available as luxury hi-classic tourist buses....
- O303 Benz Bus
Concept car
- HCD-I
- HCD-II
- HCD-III
- HCD-6
- HCD-7
- HCD-8
- HCD-9 Talus
See also
- List of Korean car makers
- List of Hyundai engines
- Hyundai
Hyundai ) is a global conglomerate company, part of the Korean chaebol, that was founded in South Korea by one of the most famous businessmen in Korean history: Chung Ju-yung...
- Hyundai Group
Hyundai Group is a South Korean conglomerate founded by Chung Ju-yung. The first company in the group was founded in 1947 as a construction company. With government assistance, Chung and his family members rapidly expanded into various industries, eventually becoming South Korea's second biggest...
- Hyundai Kia Automotive Group
The Hyundai Kia Automotive Group is South Korea's largest automobile manufacturer, the second largest automaker in Asia after Toyota and the world's fourth largest automaker after Toyota, GM, and Volkswagen as of the end of 2010...
- Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama
Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama is an automobile factory in Montgomery, Alabama. It is owned and operated by Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Construction completed in June, 2004, with the first vehicles produced in March of 2005. The official grand opening ceremony on May 20, 2005, was...
- Kia Motors
Kia Motors , headquartered in Seoul, is South Korea's second-largest automobile manufacturer, following the Hyundai Motor Company, with sales of over 1.4 million vehicles in 2010...
- Hyundai Mobis
Hyundai Mobis was established in 1977 as Hyundai Precision & Industries Corporation. It is an auto parts company with headquarters based in Seoul, South Korea. In 2000, the company changed its name to Hyundai Mobis...
- Bering Truck Corporation
- Dewan Farooque Motors
Dewan Farooque Motors Limited is a Pakistani manufacturer of automobiles under license to Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors Corporation since 1998. The company is the manufacturing concern is a subsidiary of Dewan Mushtaq Group, headquartered in Karachi with an assembly plant located in Sujawal...
External links