Brand histories
The History of Hyundai
Autopapyrus
Hyundai Motor Company, whose name means "modernity" in Korean, is South Korea's largest automaker and one of the top four or so carmakers in the world. The company is headquartered in Seoul.
Hyundai Motor Company was founded in 1967. It started out as part of the Hyundai Group and only became independent in 2003. In its early years, Hyundai's main focus was building a small number of passenger cars and one truck, a model developed with the American automaker Ford.
In 1972, the South Korean government granted the right to produce cars to just four companies, and Hyundai was lucky enough to be among them. Two years later, the company began producing the compact Hyundai Pony, whose styling was designed by the Italian studio Italdesign Giugiaro.
Under the government plan, by 1980 production was to reach at least 50,000 vehicles a year, with up to 91% of the parts made at South Korean factories. Hyundai met this target and kept growing.
In 1988, the first generation of the Sonata sedan appeared, a model that is still well known today. In 1996, the Coupe sports car gained international popularity.
In 1998, another landmark event took place in Hyundai's history: the automaker Kia Motors became part of the group. Soon after, in 2000, Hyundai signed a strategic agreement with DaimlerChrysler, which fell apart a few years later.
The city of Ulsan, South Korea, is home to a vast Hyundai plant that, as of 2006, was considered the largest automotive manufacturing facility in the world.
Today Hyundai owns car factories in South Korea, China, India, Turkey, the Czech Republic and other countries.
More than five thousand dealerships around the world offer the brand's latest models. The company's slogan is "New thinking, new possibilities."
Interestingly, some Hyundai plants have large enclosures with exotic animals. These "living corners" help workers relax, take in new experiences and, as a result, work more productively.
The idea seems to pay off. In 2010, Hyundai sold 1.73 million vehicles, earning the company more than $4.5 billion in net profit. That is more than its profit in 2008 ($780 million).
A Brief History
Hyundai Motor Company was founded in 1967. It started out as part of the Hyundai Group and only became independent in 2003. In its early years, Hyundai's main focus was building a small number of passenger cars and one truck, a model developed with the American automaker Ford.
In 1972, the South Korean government granted the right to produce cars to just four companies, and Hyundai was lucky enough to be among them. Two years later, the company began producing the compact Hyundai Pony, whose styling was designed by the Italian studio Italdesign Giugiaro.
Under the government plan, by 1980 production was to reach at least 50,000 vehicles a year, with up to 91% of the parts made at South Korean factories. Hyundai met this target and kept growing.
In 1988, the first generation of the Sonata sedan appeared, a model that is still well known today. In 1996, the Coupe sports car gained international popularity.
In 1998, another landmark event took place in Hyundai's history: the automaker Kia Motors became part of the group. Soon after, in 2000, Hyundai signed a strategic agreement with DaimlerChrysler, which fell apart a few years later.
The city of Ulsan, South Korea, is home to a vast Hyundai plant that, as of 2006, was considered the largest automotive manufacturing facility in the world.
Company Achievements
Today Hyundai owns car factories in South Korea, China, India, Turkey, the Czech Republic and other countries.
More than five thousand dealerships around the world offer the brand's latest models. The company's slogan is "New thinking, new possibilities."
Interestingly, some Hyundai plants have large enclosures with exotic animals. These "living corners" help workers relax, take in new experiences and, as a result, work more productively.
The idea seems to pay off. In 2010, Hyundai sold 1.73 million vehicles, earning the company more than $4.5 billion in net profit. That is more than its profit in 2008 ($780 million).
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