Key Stats
- Founded: December 29, 1967, in Seoul, South Korea
- 2024 Revenue: 175.23 trillion KRW ($127.24 billion USD)
- Employees: Approximately 120,000 worldwide
- Market Cap: $90 billion USD (January 2026)
- Global Rank: Third-largest carmaker by production volume
Hyundai Motor Company is a South Korean multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Seoul. The company produces passenger cars, SUVs, commercial vehicles, and electric vehicles sold through 5,000 dealerships in 193 countries worldwide.
Hyundai operates the second-largest automobile manufacturing facility in the world at its Ulsan plant, with an annual production capacity of 1.6 million units. The company owns a 33.88 percent stake in Kia Corporation and the Genesis luxury brand, with all three forming the Hyundai Motor Group.
Hyundai Motor Company History
Hyundai Motor Company Co-founders
Hyundai Motor Company Competitors
Hyundai competes with the world’s largest automakers across passenger cars, SUVs, electric vehicles, and commercial vehicle segments. The company ranks third globally in production volume, behind Toyota and Volkswagen.
| Company | Headquarters | Segment |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Motor Corporation | Toyota City, Japan | Full-line automaker |
| Volkswagen Group | Wolfsburg, Germany | Full-line automaker |
| General Motors | Detroit, USA | Full-line automaker |
| Ford Motor Company | Dearborn, USA | Full-line automaker |
| Honda Motor Company | Tokyo, Japan | Passenger cars, SUVs |
| Nissan Motor Corporation | Yokohama, Japan | Full-line automaker |
| Stellantis | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Full-line automaker |
| Mercedes-Benz Group | Stuttgart, Germany | Premium vehicles |
| BMW Group | Munich, Germany | Premium vehicles |
| BYD Auto | Shenzhen, China | Electric vehicles |
Hyundai Motor Company Revenue
Hyundai Motor Company generated 175.23 trillion KRW (approximately $127 billion USD) in revenue for fiscal year 2024, a 7.7 percent increase from the previous year. The company has maintained consistent growth over the past decade.
Hyundai Motor Company Acquisitions
Hyundai Motor Company has completed several acquisitions to expand its capabilities in automotive manufacturing, autonomous driving, and robotics.
The acquisition of Kia Motors in 1998 transformed Hyundai into a global automotive powerhouse. During the Asian financial crisis, Kia filed for bankruptcy, and Hyundai acquired a 51 percent controlling stake for approximately $941 million. This deal created the Hyundai-Kia automotive group and allowed both companies to share platforms, technology, and research facilities while maintaining separate brand identities.
In June 2021, Hyundai Motor Group completed the acquisition of Boston Dynamics from SoftBank for $1.1 billion. The deal gave Hyundai an 80 percent stake in the robotics company, with SoftBank retaining 20 percent. Boston Dynamics develops mobile robots including the Spot robot dog and humanoid Atlas, which Hyundai plans to deploy in manufacturing plants.
In August 2022, Hyundai acquired 42dot Technologies, a South Korean autonomous driving startup, for $328 million. The company develops cloud-enabled mobility platforms for autonomous transportation services, supporting Hyundai’s self-driving vehicle development.
Hyundai also acquired Doosan Infracore’s construction equipment business and has made investments in various mobility and technology startups to support its transformation into what the company calls a Smart Mobility Solution Provider.
Hyundai Motor Company Market Cap
Hyundai Motor Company’s market capitalization reached approximately $90 billion USD as of January 2026, ranking it among the world’s most valuable automakers. The company trades on the Korea Exchange under ticker 005380.
FAQs
When was Hyundai Motor Company founded?
Hyundai Motor Company was founded on December 29, 1967, in Seoul, South Korea by Chung Ju-yung and his brother Chung Se-yung.
Does Hyundai own Kia?
Yes, Hyundai Motor Company owns 33.88 percent of Kia Corporation. Hyundai acquired a controlling stake in Kia during the 1998 Asian financial crisis.
Where is Hyundai headquartered?
Hyundai Motor Company is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. The company operates its largest manufacturing facility in Ulsan, South Korea.
What was the first Hyundai car?
The Cortina was Hyundai’s first vehicle, produced in 1968 through a partnership with Ford Motor Company. The Pony, released in 1975, was the first Korean-designed car.
How many cars does Hyundai sell annually?
Hyundai Motor Company sold 4.14 million vehicles worldwide in 2024. The company sells vehicles in 193 countries through 5,000 dealerships.