Heritage.
Progress does not happen by chance, it is shaped by history.
Chung Ju-yung founded Hyundai, with a determination to give his country and his children a new perspective and this continues to shape Hyundai to this day.
1967 - 1990
The era of car manufacturing begins.
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1967.
In 1967, Hyundai Motor Company was founded. The Ulsan assembly plant was completed in 1968. Today, it is the world’s largest integrated automobile manufacturing facility, with an annual production capacity of 1.6 million units. With the Hyundai Glovis global vessel fleet and its own steel-making affiliate, Hyundai controls the whole value chain.
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1968.
In 1968, the Cortina was the very first vehicle successfully assembled by Hyundai at its Ulsan plant, in cooperation with Ford Motor Company. Hyundai set a record for the quickest time between ground-breaking and full-scale operations for any Ford assembly plant around the world – just under six months.
Pony
Pony Era.
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1975: the Pony is launched.
Following the Cortina’s success and eventual dominance of the European market, Hyundai decided to develop its own car. The company hired George Turnbull, former Managing Director of Austin Morris in 1974.
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Turin Motor Show.
He hired six European engineers including a body designer, chassis designers, production engineers and a test engineer. Together they created the Pony, which premiered at the Turin Motor Show in 1974.
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Car for the people.
Nicknamed ‘kukmincha’, or ‘car for the people’ and featuring styling by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the compact rear-wheel drive saloon was the first mass-produced South Korean car and Hyundai’s flagship for years. -
Exports.
Hyundai started exporting the Pony to Chile, Argentina, Colombia and Egypt in 1976. European exports to Belgium and the Netherlands began in 1978, with Greece added shortly afterwards.
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Variations.
The Pony was launched as a 4-door saloon, in 1976 a pickup version was added, in 1977 a station wagon, and in 1980 a 3-door hatchback. Today, the Pony Coupe continues to delight classic car enthusiasts. -
The Heritage Series PONY in 2021.
In 2021, the Pony 3-door was reimagined for the 21st century. Created for display in Hyundai’s Motorstudio Busan, the Heritage Series PONY stands out for its iconic angular silhouette and matt silver finish.
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Inspiration for the future.
The iconic Pony served as the inspiration for 45, an electric vehicle concept, which in turn brought forth the award-winning IONIQ 5 – the first car of our dedicated electric vehicle brand.
Rapid expansion & the first electric cars and hybrids.
The 1980s was a time of rapid expansion for Hyundai as the company became an international player and started competing with traditional automakers. The 1990s saw Hyundai experiment with a number of electric and hybrid vehicles.
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1980's.
In a period of rapid expansion, the first-generation Hyundai Sonata was introduced in 1985 and in 1986, the Pony Excel became the first Hyundai model sold in the United States.
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The 90's.
The company’s first pure electric car was the Sonata EV prototype in 91. The hybrid-electric FGV-1 was unveiled at the 95 Seoul Motor Show. This car featured full-time electric drive technology. Flexible-fuel vehicles were being developed in 98, while the company’s fuel cell electric vehicle activities were also started in the late 90s.
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1994.
Hyundai continued to evolve and consolidate its position as a leading international manufacturer of cars. In 1994, the company began operating a newly-established R&D centre in Germany. This is responsible for monitoring technology developments in Europe, as well as designing and engineering new cars for the European market. In September 1997, Hyundai opened its first manufacturing plant on the continent in Izmit, Turkey. It is Hyundai’s longest-running overseas production facility.
2000-2009
The transformation into a world-class brand.
2010-present
2010 to today: pioneers in future mobility.
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2013.
Launched in 2013, ix35 Fuel Cell. Its quick refuelling time and long driving range provide was a big step made in progress. The Hyundai Motorsport World Rally Championship team was also founded in 2013.
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2016.
In 2016, Hyundai introduced the IONIQ, offering three electrified powertrains – hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full electric. Its name derives from the words ‘ion’ and ‘unique’.
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2017.
The i30 N marked the premiere of the Hyundai N high performance range. Built on the New Generation i30, the i30 N was developed from the ground up to deliver maximum driving pleasure in everyday life on the road, as well as on the track. Born in Namyang and honed at the Nürburgring, N cars are designed to perform – and to put a grin on your face.
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2018.
Versatile and very fun to drive, the KONA Electric is a compact SUV in Europe. This ground-breaking newcomer combined an impressive electric driving range with bold and roomy SUV style – for no compromises. -
2018.
The NEXO embodies Hyundai’s commitment to advanced vehicle development – it also reinforces the company’s leadership in Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV).
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2019.
Simply named 45, our new electric design concept, unveiled at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, pays homage to one of the most iconic vehicles in Hyundai’s history: the Pony Coupe Concept. 45 foreshadows a new era of Hyundai’s automotive design focused on electrification, autonomous technologies and intelligent design.
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2020.
2020 was a record year in terms of new launches and enhancements. Seven distinct models were launched or renewed – or 20, counting all variations. The launch of the all-new TUCSON completed the electrification of the SUV fleet. Now, SANTA FE and TUCSON are available in hybrid and plug-in hybrid. KONA already has a hybrid and all-electric variant.
