About
Hyundai Motor's rise is one of the fastest in automotive history: founded in 1967, the company built its first car with Ford technology, launched its own model in 1975 (the Pony, designed by Italy's Giugiaro), and exported it to Latin America and Africa — markets where the cheapest cars mattered. The 'export or die' strategy of founder Chung Ju-yung, who had built Hyundai from a construction company, drove the brand's early global push. The modern Hyundai Motor Group — including the Kia brand and luxury marque Genesis — is the world's third-largest automaker, selling over 7 million vehicles a year. Its current lineup ranges from the affordable Accent and Elantra to the premium Genesis sedans and SUVs, and the company has become a leader in electric vehicles: the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 won global car of the year awards, and Hyundai's E-GMP platform is one of the most advanced EV architectures in production. With about 70,000 employees at Hyundai Motor alone (over 280,000 across the group) and annual revenue near US$120 billion, Hyundai has transformed its image from cheap import to design-and-tech leader, winning over Western consumers with long warranties and bold design. Its US plant in Alabama, factories in Europe and India, and aggressive investment in hydrogen fuel cells and robotics make Hyundai one of the most diversified bets in the global auto industry.
Also known as: Hyundai
