Hyundai

In 1947, Chung started his fifth job as the founder of the Hyundai Group by entering the building trade, which played an important role in the country's rejuvenation and included building roads.

Chung Ju-Yung, the founding chairman of the Hyundai Motor Company, was born in North Korea in 1915. He moved to Seoul at the age of 18 in search of a better life.

Chung Ju-yung, the founder of Hyundai, was born in the village of Asan, located about 30 miles north of the current demilitarized zone (DMZ) in what is now North Korea.

In 1939, Chung Ju-yung founded Hyundai, a conglomerate that would become one of the largest and most influential companies in South Korea. This marked the beginning of Hyundai's significant impact on various industries.

After the liberation of Korea in World War II, Mr. Chung ventured into repairing trucks for the U.S. Armed Forces. This marked the beginning of his journey into the engineering and construction business, leading to the development of multibillion-dollar mega-projects around the world.

After the liberation of Korea from Japanese control in 1946, Chung started Hyundai and Hyundai Civil Industries in anticipation of post-war reconstruction. He went on to win major government contracts and played a significant role in building South Korea's infrastructure.

Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company was established in 1947, with the name 'Hyundai' meaning 'modern times' in Korean. The company played a significant role in building South Korea's transportation infrastructure after being awarded major government construction contracts following the country's liberation in 1945.

In 1965, Hyundai won the bid to construct the Thailand Expressway, showcasing its capabilities in infrastructure development.

Hyundai Motor Company, South Korea's largest automaker, was founded in 1967. It is a major player in the automotive industry and has been a significant part of the Hyundai Group.

In 1968, Hyundai released its first model, the Cortina, in cooperation with Ford Motor Company. This marked the beginning of Hyundai's journey in automobile manufacturing.

In 1973, despite a lack of experience in shipbuilding, Mr. Chung persuaded a customer to give him an order to build a ship for tens of millions of dollars, leading to the founding of Hyundai Heavy Industries, which is now the largest shipbuilder in the world.

In September 1975, Hyundai introduced the Hyundai Pony, which became the first Korean passenger car, revolutionizing the country's automotive industry.

Exports of Hyundai cars began in 1976, marking the company's expansion into international markets, starting with Ecuador and soon thereafter to the Benelux countries.

In 1985, Hyundai introduced the first generation Hyundai Sonata, marking a significant milestone for the company.

Hyundai Motor America started selling cars in the United States with the Hyundai Excel model. Despite initial success, the car's reliability issues led to a decline in sales and reputation. This prompted Hyundai to invest heavily in quality, design, and manufacturing, and introduce new warranties and free maintenance programs.

In 1987, Hyundai sales continued to soar, reaching a record of 263,610 units. This marked a significant milestone for Hyundai in the U.S. market.

The company began to produce models with its own technology in 1988, beginning with the midsize Sonata.

In 1989, Hyundai Auto Canada Inc. established a stamping and assembly plant in Bromont, Quebec, with substantial investment and government subsidies. The plant was designed to manufacture Hyundai Sonatas and employed a significant workforce.

The Alpha engine, which was the first engine developed in Korea, was created in 1991, showcasing the advancement in automotive technology in the country.

In 1994, Hyundai achieved a major milestone by surpassing an annual production of 1 million units, showcasing its rapid growth and success in the automotive industry.

Hyundai unveiled the hybrid-electric FGV-1 at the 1995 Seoul Motor Show, featuring full-time electric drive technology.

Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) was formed on May 6, 1996, marking Hyundai's entry into the Indian automobile market. The launch of the Hyundai Santro in 1998 was a significant success, establishing Hyundai's presence in India.

In September 1997, Hyundai inaugurated its first manufacturing plant in Izmit, Turkey, which has become the company's longest-running overseas production facility.

America's Best Warranty was introduced by Hyundai in 1998, offering a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, which was a groundbreaking move in the automotive industry.

Hyundai added a 10-year or 100,000-mile warranty to cars sold in the United States and launched an aggressive marketing campaign.

Hyundai entered the crossover SUV market with the launch of the Santa Fe in 2000. Despite initial criticism for its looks, the Santa Fe became a huge hit in American and European markets, quickly becoming Hyundai's best seller.

In August 2001, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) was appointed by Hyundai Motor Company of South Korea as the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines.

Hyundai formed a 50-50 joint venture with Beijing Automotive Group in December 2002, establishing Beijing Hyundai. This joint venture manufactures models exclusively for the Chinese market and has significantly contributed to Hyundai's presence in China.

In 2007, the i30 was introduced. Designed, developed and manufactured in Europe, it is Hyundai Motor’s DNA car on the continent.

On 23 April 2008, Hyundai Motor announced the beginning of a five-year project to turn 50 km2 of infertile land into grassland by 2012 with the help of the Korean Federation for Environmental Movement (KFEM). The goal of the project is to end the recurring dust storms in Beijing, block desertification, and protect the local ecosystem.

Hyundai Motor has made significant progress in just 50 years, helping to modernize South Korea and becoming a leader in future mobility. The company's progressive spirit is celebrated in a new campaign with the tagline 'Next Awaits'.

In February 2021, CNBC reported that Apple and Hyundai-Kia were close to finalizing a deal to build an autonomous Apple car. However, Hyundai Motor announced shortly after that it is no longer in talks with Apple.

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

In June 2021, Hyundai Motor Group completed its acquisition of a controlling interest in the robotics firm, Boston Dynamics, taking an 80% share of the company.

The Hyundai Ulsan plant, with 34,000 employees, operates on a two-shift system and runs for only five days a week, shutting at weekends and for a full week in summer. The workers are provided with various facilities including dormitory accommodation, free lunch, and a pleasant working environment. The plant has its own docking area with berths for three ships to export the 6,000 cars produced daily.

In September 2021, Hyundai Wia division opened a car engine manufacturing plant in Saint Petersburg, the biggest in Russia and the fifth in the world. The new plant is designed to produce about 330,000 engines for Hyundai Solaris and Creta as well as for Kia Rio by the end of the year 2021.

A new hydrogen city bus was unveiled at the Busworld trade show in Brussels with Iveco Group.

In early 2022, Hyundai Motor Philippines, Inc. (HMPH) took over the passenger car operations from HARI and became the official distributor of Hyundai passenger cars in the country.

On 20 June 2022, Hyundai Motor Philippines unveiled 4 new models, including the Creta subcompact crossover, the Tucson compact crossover, the Santa Fe mid-size crossover, and the Staria passenger van, at a dealer conference.

Hyundai announced the construction of a new plant in the United States to produce flying taxis for commuters, signaling the company's entry into the urban air mobility (UAM) market.

In CES 2024, Hyundai showcased its SDV exhibits and unveiled core technologies, marking a significant advancement in the field of future mobility services.