The Hyundai Motor Company, a division of the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group, is South Korea's largest and the world's fifth largest Automaker. Its headquarters are in Seoul, South Korea. In Ulsan, South Korea, Hyundai operates the world's largest integrated automobile manufacturing facility, which is capable of producing 1.6 million units annually. The Hyundai logo, a slanted, stylized 'H,' is said to be symbolic of two people (the company and customer) shaking hands. Hyundai means "modernity" in Korean.
In 2004, Hyundai was ranked second in "initial quality" in a survey/study by J.D. Power and Associates. Hyundai is now one of the top 100 most valuable brands worldwide. Since 2002, Hyundai has also been one of the worldwide official sponsors of the FIFA World Cup. In 2006, the South Korean government initiated an investigation of Chung Mong Koo's practices as head of Hyundai, suspecting him of corruption. On April 28, 2006, Chung was arrested, and charged for embezzlement of 100 billion won (US$106 million), with Hyundai Vice Chairman and CEO, Kim Dong-jin taking over as head of the company.
In 2004, Hyundai Motor Company had $57.2 billion in sales in South Korea making it the country's second largest corporation, or chaebol. Worldwide sales in 2005 reached 2,533,695 units, an 11 percent increase over the previous year. Hyundai has set as its 2006 target worldwide sales of 2.7 million units (excluding exports of CKD kits). Hyundai motor vehicles are sold in 193 countries through some 5,000 dealerships and showrooms. After a recent survey of global automotive sales by Automotive News, Hyundai is now the sixth largest automaker in the world, surpassing Nissan, Honda, and many other major brands, selling 3,715,096 units in 2005. Hyundai Motor Company's brand power continues to rise as it was ranked 72nd in the 2007 Best Global Brands by Interbrand and BusinessWeek survey. brand value estimated at $4.5 billion. Public perception of the Hyundai brand has been transformed as a result of dramatic improvements in the quality of Hyundai vehicles.
Hyundai entered the United States market in 1986 with only one model, the Hyundai Excel. The Excel was offered in a variety of trims and body styles. That year, Hyundai set a record of selling the most automobiles in its first year of business in the United States compared to any other car brand (a staggering 126,000 vehicles). In 2006, Hyundai's minivan Entourage earned a five-star safety rating — the highest honor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration bestows — for all seating positions in frontal and side-impact crashes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also rates “Good” — its highest rating — in front, side and rear impacts. The IIHS(Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, US), in fact, has christened the 2006 Hyundai Entourage and Kia Sedona a “Gold Top Safety Pick,” making the safest minivan ever tested. In 2006, Hyundai was awarded 'Top-rated 2006 Ideal Vehicle' by Autopacific, Marketing research and consultancy firm for the automobile industry.
In 2007 Strategic Vision Total Quality Awards, Hyundai Motors leads the most vehicle segments in Strategic Vision's Total Quality Index, measuring the ownership experience. They attempt to measure more than just the number of problems per vehicle. Hyundai tops in Strategic Vision Total Quality Awards. For the first time ever, Hyundai has risen to share the position of having the most models leading a segment. three models with the top Total Quality Index (TQI) score in their segments, including the Hyundai Azera, Entourage, Santa Fe. In 2007, Hyundai's midsize SUV Santa Fe earns 2007 TOP SAFETY PICK award by IIHS.
In 2007 at the New York International Auto Show, Hyundai unveiled its groundbreaking V8 rear-drive luxury sedan called Concept Genesis to be slotted above the Azera in the Hyundai line-up. This concept will make its American debut in mid 2008. In 2007 at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, Hyundai unveiled its second rear-drive concept car, this car, called Concept Genesis Coupe, will be Hyundai's first sports car due to make its debut in early 2009.2009, Hyundai has announced the five-door hatchback variant of the Elantra compact sedan will carry the name Elantra Touring when it goes on sale in the spring as a 2009 model.
Hyundai Model lineup: Equus Centennial (joint project of Hyundai and Mitsubishi), Click Getz, Accent, Tiburon Coupe Tuscani, Elantra, Matrix Lavita, Sonata, Grandeur (joint project of Hyundai and Mitsubishi),
Grandeur XG/XG300/XG350, Grandeur Azera, Dynasty, Hyundai Santamo (Rebadged Mitsubishi Chariot) (Originally produced by Hyundai Precision Industry), i30.
Hyundai SUVs and Vans: HD1000 (Minibus/Porter), Entourage (Similar to the Kia Sedona), Hyundai Galloper (Rebadged Mitsubishi Pajero) (Originally produced by Hyundai Precision Industry), Grace (1st generation was a rebadged Mitsubishi Delica), Hyundai H-100 Grace / Porter, Porter (1st generation was a rebadged Mitsubishi Delica), Santa Fe, Trajet, H-1/Satellite/Starex/Libero/H-200, Terracan, Tucson, Veracruz, Genesis. Hyundai Commercial Vehicles: Ford D Series, Ford DK Series, Ford R Series, O303 Benz Bus, Hyundai DQ-7, Bison & 3ton Truck, Mighty (Rebadged Mitsubishi Fuso Canter), Mighty II, e-Mighty, Chorus, County (e-County), Hyundai 4.5 to 5-ton truck (Rebadged Mitsubishi Fuso Fighter), Hyundai 8 to 25-ton truck (Rebadged Mitsubishi Fuso Super Great), Super Truck Medium, Super Truck, Mega Truck, New Power Truck, Aero Town (e-Aero Town), Aero City, Aero (Rebadged Mitsubishi Fuso Aero Bus), HD160, HD170, Hyundai RB, Hyundai FB, Universe, Trago, HM 1620 urban bus, HM 1630 suburban bus.
