Hyundai is one of the world’s fastest growing car makers. In a few decades, it has moved on from motorising South Korea to mobilising the world with its advanced electric vehicles. Like its sister brand Kia – which Hyundai owns – it is at the forefront of EV technology.
This is perhaps not surprising when you look at South Korea’s expertise in electronics, including battery technology. EVs such as the IONIQ 5, the new high performance IONIQ 5 N and the IONIQ 6 are globally successful electric cars: popular from Seoul to San Francisco, from Sydney to the UK’s South Coast.
Hyundai also offers plug-in hybrids, including the new Tucson and Santa Fe SUVs, as well as a range of petrol and hybrid SUVs and hatchbacks.
It was founded just after the last world war, in 1947, as an engineering and construction company. Hyundai means ‘modern era’ and was so named to celebrate the birth of a new age. It helped build much of South Korea’s post-war transport infrastructure.
Hyundai Motor Company was founded in 1967. Of the big globally famous car makers – excluding new electric only brands – it is the newest. Its first vehicle was a car largely developed in the UK: the Ford Cortina, built under licence in Korea.
To help develop its own car, Hyundai also turned to the UK, and hired a former managing director of British Leyland. Its first locally engineered and designed car was the Pony, on sale from 1975. This little hatchback was South Korea’s first mass produced car. UK Hyundai sales began in 1982.
Global expansion included the opening of a German research and development centre, in 1994, and a European factory in Turkey. A Czech factory would follow in 2006.
Hyundai’s reputation has blossomed over the past 20 years, as indeed have its global sales. Its first car designed, engineered and manufactured in Europe – the i30 – came in 2007.
The IONIQ brand was introduced in 2016, and was offered with a choice of hybrid, plug-in hybrid or full electric power. It’s now reserved for a range of highly advanced and futuristically styled EVs. A few smaller EV has also now joined Hyundai’s fleet, the Inster. They all supplement a strong range of SUVs and hatchbacks, many offered with hybrid tech.
Hendy currently represents Hyundai at 2 outlets.
