Hyundai Motor and University College London (UCL) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in London to collaborate on research and development of hydrogen production, fuel cells and electrification technologies. The partnership aims to accelerate the establishment of a hydrogen economy and contribute to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, a goal shared by both South Korea and the UK, according to a press release from PRNewswire dated Nov. 22. The MOU signing ceremony took place befor...

US auto-safety regulators have opened a probe into 16 separate recalls issued by Hyundai and Kia, covering 6.4 million vehicles due to brake fluid leaks that could result in fires. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is conducting an audit query to evaluate the timeliness of the automakers' defect decision-making and adherence to reporting requirements, according to a report by Reuters on Nov. 20. Hyundai and Kia have issued recalls since 2016 for antilock braking syste...

Amazon and Hyundai Motor Co. have announced a strategic partnership aimed at bringing innovative new experiences to customers. Under the partnership, Amazon will launch online vehicle sales of Hyundai vehicles in the US in 2024, with Hyundai naming Amazon Web Services (AWS) as its preferred cloud provider to facilitate its digital transformation. Additionally, the Alexa Built-in experience will be coming to Hyundai's next-generation vehicles, the company announced in a press release dated N...

Kia has unveiled two new electric vehicle concepts, the EV3 and EV4, at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show, according to a company press release on Nov. 16. The EV3 is a compact crossover that takes design cues from the flagship EV9, while the EV4 is a four-door sedan. Both concepts use bioplastic and recycled materials throughout. The EV3 features a sloping roofline and disconnected C pillar that gives the roof a floating effect. The interior has advanced ergonomic seats and a spacious horizonta...

Hyundai is taking additional measures to combat vehicle theft, including supporting single-day clinic locations and partnering with local law enforcement and community organizations. The company has installed software upgrades on nearly 1 million eligible vehicles to prevent theft, which has spread on social media, a company press release on October 25 said.  The software upgrade takes less than 30 minutes to install and is part of a broader service campaign that provides free steering w...

South Korean carmaker Hyundai Motor Co. and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) have signed a joint venture agreement to establish a highly automated vehicle manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia, Hyundai announced October 22. The announcement comes soon after the US-based electric-vehicle maker Lucid Group opened its first overseas EV assembly plant in Saudi Arabia. According to the press note, PIF will hold a 70% stake in the new JV with Hyundai holding the remaining 30%. That sa...

South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Group announced October 18 that it will collaborate with smartphone platform companies to allow a wider variety of iOS and Android phone users to gain digital access to Hyundai, Kia and Genesis brand vehicles via the Digital Key 2 convenience feature. The Group said its Digital Key 2 is one of the first services in the automotive industry to support cross-platform compatibility for contactless sharing of digital key capabilities between smartphones. In the...

South Korea’s second-largest automaker, Kia Corp., contemplates building another purpose-built vehicle (PBV) factory in the country, despite the risk of disruption by unionized workers, as it aims to take the throne of the emerging custom-tailored car segment by 2030. Kia, part of the Hyundai Motor Group, intends to establish a new plant for large PBVs as a measure to improve competitiveness for future business in wage talks with its unionized workers, The Korea Economic Daily reported Octo...

South Korean automaker Kia is gearing up to inaugurate a modern training academy for the next generation of employees at St. Modwen Park in Derby, UK. The company will take up residency by the end of 2023 following an extensive fit-out period, Derby Telegraph reported October 16. The facility, spread across 40,000 square feet, has been adapted to suit Kia’s requirements. This includes the installation of additional power, facilitating advanced electrification training and upskilling on...

Webasto Charging Systems has partnered with Kia America to offer the Webasto Go Dual-Voltage Portable EV Charger for buyers of the all-new model year 2024 Kia EV9, it said in a press release dated October 10. The charger will be included as a gift for reservation requests made between October 16 and November 27. The Webasto Go Dual-Voltage Portable EV Charger is designed to provide efficient and reliable charging for Kia EV9 drivers across the US. With its dual-voltage and dual-purpose design...

Hankook has equipped the Hyundai Ioniq 6 with its Ventus S1 Evo 3 electric vehicle tires, it said in a press release dated October 12. These tires have low-rolling resistance and a lightweight, robust construction to meet the requirements of all EVs. Hankook will offer the Ventus S1 Evo 3 EV in the size 22555R18W for the Ioniq 6. “We are very pleased with the confidence Hyundai has shown in our premium tyres, and that the Ventus S1 evo 3 ev will be used in its new top electric model. With t...

Idra, an Italian aluminum-casting machine manufacturer and supplier to Tesla, has expanded its customer base to include Ford, Hyundai and a European company, Reuters reported October 11. Tesla has pioneered the use of massive casting machines, known as gigapresses, to produce large single pieces of vehicle underbodies, streamlining production and reducing the workload of robots. Front and rear underbodies cast by gigapresses are combined with battery packs to form a three-piece chassis f...

Genesis Motor America has announced that its comprehensive telematics suite, Genesis Connected Services, is now offered complimentary for all original owners or lessees of 2023 and newer model years, in a press release dated October 10. The safety, maintenance, convenience and remote features included in the Genesis Connected Care, Remote and Guidance subscription packages are now available for free on a non-trial basis to new buyers with Genesis Connected Services. Existing first owners of 2...

South Korean carmaker Hyundai’s US subsidiary Hyundai Motor North America announced October 5 that the company is adopting Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) ports for its electric vehicles in the US and Canada. While all-new and refreshed Hyundai EVs will come exclusively with the NACS port in the US from the fourth quarter of 2024, models in Canada will follow suit from the first half of 2025. Hyundai EVs with NACS ports will gain access to more than 12,000 Tesla Superch...

Hyundai Motor India has announced that it will offer six airbags as standard across its entire range of 13 models of passenger vehicles, including base variants, in an industry first, Mint reported October 3. This move is aimed at attracting safety-conscious young buyers. While most automakers offer six airbags as optional upgrades with more expensive trims, Hyundai will make it part of the standard configuration of low-end models as well. The company plans to volunteer three of its models fo...

South Korean auto majors Hyundai and Kia have announced a recall of a massive combined 3.37 million vehicles in the US due to the risk of engine fires, telling owners to park outside and away from structures until repairs are complete. The automakers said internal brake fluid leaks can cause an electrical short that could lead to a fire. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said owners should follow the advice of the automakers and park vehicles outside until repairs are...

Due to declining demand from top customers such as Hyundai and Kia, along with a flood of Chinese-made products, Hyundai Steel Co. has decided to close its stainless steel-making plant in Incheon, South Korea, a report in The Korea Economic Daily said on September 20.  The paper further said the steelmaker recently informed its labor union of the decision, quoting sources. The company will transfer the Incheon factory employees to other plants after shutting down the plant at t...

Hyundai is offering complimentary ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 chargers to customers who buy or lease select electric vehicles, it said in a press release on September 21. The South Korean automaker will also offer up to $600 off on installation using the Hyundai Home Marketplace. “At Hyundai, we are focused on offering a wide range of high-quality EVs for our customers to choose from, but we know that the charging infrastructure and the process of preparing their homes is at the forefront...

Eyeing growing markets in the Gulf countries, Hyundai Motor Co. is set to build an electric vehicle assembly plant in Saudi Arabia, The Korea Economic Daily reported September 18. The South Korean automaker in early 2023 signed a memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Trade Ministry to build an EV assembly factory in Saudi Arabia. Under the initial agreement, Hyundai will send semifinished EVs and parts to Saudi Arabia under a complete knock-down (CKD) scheme to assemble them for sale in ...

Hyundai Motor North America (HMNA) and Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc., (HATCI) announced the opening of their $51.4 million Safety Test and Investigation Laboratory (STIL) at Superior Township, Mich. The new modern safety laboratory to help enhance the safety of Hyundai vehicles is supported by 160 employees and is planned to be operational by mid-October, a company press release on September 12 said. Hyundai says the new safety facility is the first of its kind by an OEM in North Ame...

South Korean automaker Hyundai has brought in-vehicle payments to its US customers with the introduction of Hyundai Pay, allowing customers to find and pay for things with their vehicle’s touchscreen using securely stored credit card information, a company press release said September 6. The original equipment manufacturer has partnered with Parkopedia to launch Hyundai Pay’s first service, a new parking payment system. This system enables US drivers to locate, reserve and pay for pa...

Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution (LGES) will spend an additional $2 billion in their Georgia, US, plant, according to an official statement on September 1. The companies will also hire an additional 400 workers to manufacture electric vehicle batteries at the plant. The initial plans included production of 300,000 vehicles per year at the plant. Expansion is possible to manufacture 500,000 vehicles annually. Significance: This investment is an addition to the announcement made in May. ...

Kia intends on using recycled plastic in its new electric vehicle models, it said in a press release on August 28. This comes after Kia’s partner, The Ocean Cleanup, hauled in 55 metric tons of waste from the Pacific Ocean and is part of a seven-year global partnership agreed in April 2022. Recycling of the captured plastic will begin shortly with Kia using a proportion of it in future models. “The record catch of plastics brought to shore by The Ocean Cleanup for recycling is tangible pr...

Hyundai is set to recall 37,997 model year (MY) 2021–2023 Elantra vehicles over a software issue that could potentially cause the car to accelerate after the brake pedal is released, USA Today reported on August 25. This can potentially lead to a crash. A report by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated that the motor-control unit software may detect a transmission or drive-motor synchronization fault while driving, triggering a fail-safe condition that te...

Expanding its operation in the US, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing LLC (HMMA) announced an investment of $290 million to enhance the production of popular sport utility vehicles (SUVs). HMMA has designated $190 million dollars of this investment for tooling and equipment upgrades to prepare for production of the all-new fifth-generation Santa Fe, a company press release said August 17. Hyundai first began assembling the Santa Fe in 2006, and this will be the first full-model change since 2018. Th...

NaaS has partnered with Hyundai Motor Group (China) to develop a charging-management service for Hyundai car owners, it said in a press release on August 16. The partnership will enable Hyundai owners to check charging and charger-installation status in real time through a smart service app or at the center console. “Charging facilities as a significant component of new infrastructure serves a crucial role in improving the penetration of EVs. Partnered with new energy industry chain players...

South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor and Seoul National University signed an agreement to establish the Department of Future Automotive Mobility Studies with the goal to cultivate talent in electric vehicle control and vehicle software, which is now emerging as key elements in the future of mobility, The Korea Economic Daily reported August 16. The paper said this department is linked to the Future-oriented Automotive Technology Convergence Innovative Talent Development Project, ini...

Hyundai Motor Co. has entered into a multidecade partnership with Georgia Tech in the US as part of its investments in the state of Georgia, the South Korean carmaker announced August 8. It said that the vision for the partnership included research and applications to support the future of sustainable mobility, hydrogen economy, workforce development and smart cities, among many other areas of cooperation. Hyundai added that more details about the partnership and its future plans will be d...

Qualcomm Technologies Inc. announced a technology collaboration with Hyundai Motor Group in the area of purpose-built vehicles (PBVs). The partnership intends to serve as a future mobility solution for the Group. The PBVs are engineered to provide transportation services, as well as additional services that cater to the diverse needs of individuals, such as comfort, logistics, commercial activities and healthcare. As a part of the technology tie-up, the Group will incorporate the latest Snapd...

South Korean automakers Hyundai Motor and Kia said they were recalling more than 113,000 newer vehicles in North America because of fire risks, and urged owners to park outside and away from structures pending repairs. The recall covered the Hyundai 2023–2024 Palisade, 2023 Tucson, Sonata, Elantra and Kona vehicles, and 2023–2024 Seltos and 2023 Kia Soul, Sportage vehicles, Reuters reported August 4. The report said nearly 52,000 Hyundai vehicles and nearly 40,000 Kia vehic...

In a step toward addressing climate change goals, Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp. introduced their AI-enabled, blockchain-based Supplier CO2 Emission Monitoring System (SCEMS) to manage the carbon emissions of its cooperative business partners. The SCEMS is designed to compute carbon emissions at every stage of a cooperative partner’s supply chain while assuring data transparency and integrity. Both original equipment manufacturers successfully verified the effectiveness of the high-performanc...

Seven leading global carmakers — BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz Group and Stellantis NV — plan to establish an electric vehicle charging joint venture with an aim of accelerating the transition to EVs in North America, the companies said in a joint announcement July 26. The press note issued by the companies said that the all-new JV company will include the development of a new, high-powered charging network with at least 30,000 chargers to make zero-emissio...

Hyundai Motor has opened a joint battery-research center with Seoul National University, it said in a press release July 25. This collaboration aims to advance battery technologies and enhance industry-academia tie ups. “The Joint Battery Research Center will be the starting point for battery technology with improved performance and robust safety in line with Hyundai Motor Group’s preemptive innovation in the field of electrification. We expect that the best faculty and graduate students ...

In a press release dated July 12, Kia Motors announced that its Georgia West Point assembly plant is undergoing a transformation that will allow for the assembly of the all-electric 2024 EV9 three-row sport utility vehicle (SUV) in the second quarter of 2024. The company allocated over $200 million for this expansion that will create nearly 200 additional jobs in Troup County, Ga., with EV9 joining the Telluride, Sorento and Sportage SUVs and the K5 midsize sedan as the fifth model to be asse...

South Korean carmaker Kia Corp.’s European subsidiary — Kia Europe — has appointed Pierre-Martin Bos as director for its Purpose-Built Vehicle (PBV) business, Kia announced July 10. The carmaker said that Bos will be working in the newly created position at Kia Europe from the regional headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany. Bos will take up his role at Kia Europe July 10, the company said. As a senior executive, Bos will take over the management of the dedicated team, which has bee...

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into model year 2022 Kia EV6 vehicles over issues of losing drive power, Yahoo! reported July 10, citing Automotive News. The regulator’s Office of Defects Investigation had reportedly received 11 complaints from vehicle owners in the US. Owners complained that they heard a loud pop noise followed by a warning displayed in their dashboard. Following that, there was either a large reduction or total los...

Kia has announced a free over the air (OTA) software update which would bring multiple enhacements to its vehicles, according to a company press release on July 7. Kia will be introducing its EV route planning service, the most significant of all the updates. The feature will be available via the latest software update for Kia EV6 and all-new Niro EV fleet. The software update also sees the introduction of music discovery service Soundhound which identifies songs on the radio and download the...

Hyundai Motor has invested about $1.5 million in auto chip startup BOS Semiconductors, according to a report by Korea Herald on June 28. The carmaker intends to leverage the startup's expertise to develop chips for autonomous vehicles and electric vehicles. This is the second round of funding made by Hyundai through a venture fund operated by Zero1ne. “We are expanding partnerships with chipmakers to boost our business in software-defined vehicles including autonomous driving. We could...

In a major announcement, Hyundai Motor Group on June 26 said it has surpassed 10 million global connected-car service subscribers in June. The milestone comes just one year and 10 months after reaching 5 million subscribers in August 2021. This rapid growth supports the acceleration of the Group’s software-defined vehicle (SDV) strategy. The Group’s connected-car services utilize wireless networks to enable in-vehicle infotainment systems and smartphone applications that provide customers...

Hyundai Motor on June 20 unveiled its mid- to long-term business and financial plans based on "Hyundai Motor Way" with a focus on the key strategic goal of leading top automotive businesses such as electric vehicles, autonomous driving and software-defined vehicles (SDVs). With its Ioniq 5-based driverless robo-taxi business operated by Hyundai Motor Group and Aptiv’s joint venture, Motional, set to launch in Las Vegas at the end of 2023, the company has a clear goal to expand the...

Unveiling its mid- to long-term business plans at the 2023 CEO Investor Day in Seoul, South Korea, June 20, Hyundai Motor Co. announced that it will focus on electrification, autonomous driving, hydrogen, robotics and advanced air mobility to secure growth over the next decade. Calling its ongoing transition to electrification as the "Hyundai Motor Way", the carmaker said that it will leverage its experience, knowledge and capability to innovate, accumulated over the past decades as a tr...

According to a Reuters report dated June 20, Hyundai Motor will consider making its vehicles more readily compatible with the charging standard Tesla is pushing for in North America, quoting the South Korean automaker's CEO. Jaehoon Chang, who is also Hyundai's president, said the company would consider joining the alliance of automakers shifting to Tesla's standard, but that it would have to determine if that was in the interest of its customers. Chang said Hyundai would consult with Tesla t...

South Korean carmaker Hyundai Motor Co. plans to invest more than 109.4 trillion South Korean won (over $85 billion) over the next 10 years to accelerate its transition to become a smart-mobility solutions provider, Hyundai announced June 20. The earmarked investment also includes 35.8 trillion won to be spent on developing electric vehicles over the next decade, the company said, adding that it aims to achieve 2 million units in annual EV sales by 2030. The announcements were ma...

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric vehicles over reports of power loss while driving, Reuters reported June 20. The issue is reportedly tied to a battery charging problem. The NHTSA’s preliminary investigation covers nearly 40,000 model year 2022 vehicles. It received 30 consumer complaints alleging a loss of acceleration. Many consumers reported a loud popping noise followed by a warning displayed on their dashboard and...

Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) and Vodafone Business on June 15 announced a multiyear extension of their existing strategic partnership to provide customers with advanced in-car connected streaming and infotainment services in more than 40 countries across Europe. As part of the partnership extension, Vodafone Business will bring its global internet of things (IoT) connectivity for connected car service to millions of Hyundai, Kia and Genesis models sold in Europe. The year 2022 saw HMG recor...

Hyundai and Kia have announced a restructuring of their joint research and development (R&D) organization in lieu of the growth in electrification and automotive software markets, according to an official statement June 12. The new R&D organization will transform from a centralized structure focused on vehicle development to an independent Allianced Tech Organization (ATO). The companies have combined the areas directly related to vehicle development and separated the next-genera...

Hyundai-backed 42dot is setting up a global center for software defined vehicles (SDVs), The Korea Herald reported on June 4. 42dot has reportedly received an investment worth 346.2 billion South Korean won ($265.1 million) from the carmaker, with a total of 1.5 trillion South Korean won expected until 2025. While the location of the center was not disclosed, the software center will be at the forefront of Hyundai’s push for automotive software development. “We will focus on developi...

In line with its target of carbon neutrality by 2045, Kia has unveiled new details of its "10 must–have sustainability items" initiative. In a press release dated May 17, Kia said its first course of action has been to make a commitment to completely phase out the use of leather in all new products. The second course of action will see Kia integrate its 10 must–have sustainability items into its new model lines, starting with the EV9. Kia will also continue to invest in testing and d...

Hyundai Mobis held a groundbreaking ceremony for its global electric vehicle battery-system production plant in Indonesia on May 31, the company said in a press release June 1. The site is located in Bekasi, West Java, on the outskirts of Jakarta, Indonesia. The ceremony was attended by more than 150 executives, including Mochamad Ridwan Kamil, governor of West Java Province; Lee Sang-deok, ambassador of the Republic of Korea; Oh Heung-sub, senior vice president of Electri...

Hyundai Motor Group and electric vehicle battery manufacturer LG Energy Solution (LGES) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a battery-cell manufacturing joint venture in the US, the two companies said in a joint announcement May 26. Hyundai Group and LGES will each hold a 50% stake in the planned battery cell JV, which will involve an investment of over $4.3 billion, the companies said. The MOU between the two companies entail local production of EV batteries ...

Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL), the country’s second-largest carmaker, has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Shell India Markets Pvt. Ltd. (Shell India) to install 60 kW DC fast chargers across 36 of its electric car dealerships in India, the company announced May 17. The MOA was signed between HMIL and Shell India in the presence of Jae Wan Ryu, executive director of HMIL, and Sanjay Varkey, director of Shell India, at HMIL's headquarters in Gurugram, Ha...

Electric vehicle (EV) charging network operator Ionity has officially inaugurated its largest EV charging hub in Affi at Lake Garda in Italy, the company announced May 11. The EV charging hub was inaugurated in the presence of the vice president of the Veneto Region, Italy, the president of the Province of Verona, Italy, and the mayor of Affi, the company said. The new Ionity EV charging hub is made of 18 high-power chargers powered by 100% renewable energy. These EV chargers offer up to 350 ...

Hyundai Motor Co. (Hyundai) announced plans to invest $2.45 billion in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu over the next 10 years to beef up electric vehicle (EV) production, Reuters reported on May 11. Hyundai, through its Indian subsidiary Hyundai Motor India, will also set up a battery-pack assembly unit with an annual capacity of 178,000 units and install 100 EV charging stations across the southern state in the next five years, it said in a statement. The company plans to increase the...