Hyundai has also launched 3 eco-friendly drivetrains (hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric) to compete with Toyota. For those loyal to the Hyundai brand, but who want a more high-end vehicle, these are now available from the luxury brand Genesis.
Manufacturer Spotlight
- Date FoundedDecember 29, 1967
- HeadquartersSeoul, South Korea
- Websitehttp://hyundai.com/
History
The Hyundai Motor Company was established in 1967 by the Hyundai Engineering and Construction company, which was formed 20 years earlier. The Hyundai Engineering and Construction company was founded by Chung Ju-Yung.
The first vehicle released was the Cortina and it was a collaboration with the Ford Motor Company in 1968. Once Hyundai was ready to release vehicles that were all their own, they hired George Turnbull, the former Managing Director of British Leyland’s Austin-Morris division.
The Hyundai Pony was released in 1975 and stood as the first South Korean vehicle. They hired Giorgio Giugiaro of ItalDesign to help do the styling and used Mitsubishi Motors powertrain technologies.
In 1976, Hyundai began exporting its vehicles outside of South Korea. The first export country was Ecuador. By 1982, Hyundai broke into the British market and in its first year sold 2,993 vehicles.
Discontinued Models
- Atos/Atoz/Santro
- Coupé/Tiburon/Tuscani
- Dynasty
- Excel
- Equus/Centennial
- Scoupe
- Genesis
- Genesis Coupe
- Getz/Click/Getz Prime/TB
- i30/i30cw/i30 Tourer/Elantra Touring
- Lavita/Matrix
- Marcia
- Pony
- Santamo
- Stellar