Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) held its 2024 New Year address today at Kia AutoLand Gwangmyeong, the first dedicated electric vehicle (EV) plant in Korea, looking forward to the year ahead and outlining the Group’s key areas of focus.
Under the theme ‘Together, a Valuable Start,’ Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung and executives from the Group’s affiliates shared New Year’s messages and the Group’s future vision.
In his New Year’s message, Executive Chair Euisun Chung highlighted, “Our mission this year will be ‘Consistency and Sustainability’ consistently strengthening our capabilities, which will allow us to scale any challenges and achieve sustainable progress.”
Chung stressed that ‘consistent change’ and ‘sustainable growth’ are the key words for the Group’s success in the face of increasing global uncertainty and growing competition.
Focusing on 2024 and beyond, Chung said, “I am excited about the series of innovations in electrification that will start here at AutoLand Gwangmyeong, the Group’s first EV-dedicated plant, and expand to Ulsan, the United States and beyond.
The Group will complete the redevelopment of the Kia AutoLand Gwangmyeong EV Plant in the second quarter of this year, which will produce the brand’s EV3, a compact EV, for domestic and international sales. Subsequently, Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA), Kia’s AutoLand Hwaseong EV Plant, and the Hyundai Motor Ulsan EV Plant will be brought online sequentially to introduce innovative EVs to the global market, with an overall Group strategy to become a top three global EV manufacturer by 2030.
“Last November, I was conferred the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire as Honorary Commander (CBE) in recognition of my contributions to strengthening the cooperation and friendship between the UK and the Republic of Korea,” said Chung, adding, “It is the same Order that was bestowed upon the Founding Chairman Ju-yung Chung, who laid the foundation of the Hyundai-UK partnership in the 1970s.”
He expressed his deep gratitude to the Group’s members by saying, “This recognition is the result of the outstanding work and professionalism of all our employees, and I applaud all of you who fully deserve this honor.”
Executive Chair Chung added that he is particularly pleased that the Group’s ‘challenging spirit’ has been passed on like a timeless medal, originating with Founding Chairman Ju-yung Chung and continued by Honorary Chairman Mong-Koo Chung.
Referring to the Group’s ability to overcome numerous crises, Executive Chair Chung emphasized the importance of a healthy character for its companies.
He said, “Weakness will make you stumble but strength allows you to maintain your balance, defy the odds and come out stronger. A company should do the same by making continuous efforts to strengthen itself.”
“Oftentimes it is a painful process,” he added, “but it is absolutely necessary in order to succeed. Only when we, as a company, strengthen ourselves can we conquer our challenges and lay the foundation for sustainable growth.”
Chung outlined the importance of consistent change for the clearly established rationale of the Group – its customers.
“Consistent change is the key to innovation,” said Executive Chair Chung, adding, “The act of stepping out of your comfort zone may seem unsettling at first, but it is proof that you are actually moving in the right direction.”
Stressing the need for creative thinking and a challenging spirit to achieve the Group’s commitment to consistent change, Chung outlined that “We need to foster a corporate culture that actively encourages innovation. We must not fear failure but be weary of not trying.
“The best strategy is earning the full trust of our customers, not quickly following our competitors,” he added. “I urge you to stay competitive by harnessing creativity in all areas of our corporate activity encompassing the quality, safety and cost competitiveness of our products and services.”
