Discover Hyundai with Premier Clearance Center Metairie
Learn About the History of the Hyundai Brand
Hyundai has expanded from its humble origins in South Korea to be a well-respected brand throughout the world. The brand is synonymous with quality and innovation. The company, which is headquartered in Seoul, was first built in 1967 and is now part of Hyundai Motor Group, which includes Genesis Motor and Kia Motors.
The History of Hyundai
Even though the company officially began in the 1960’s, the roots of Hyundai goes back much further. Back in 1947, Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company was built by Chung Ju-Yung. It wasn’t until two decades later, in 1968, that the first vehicle came about as Hyundai partnered with Ford Motor Company. That model was known as the Cortina.
Hyundai continued to work with Ford to build vehicles. In 1975 the company decided to go its own and build the Pony alone. This car was a mix of inspiration with a body styled by an Italian designer and technology from a Japanese company known as Mitsubishi Motors. Hyundai continued to be successful and expanded to England in 1982. Expansion continued as it moved into Canada in 1984. At this point, the company became very popular in a short time. Hyundai had sold its millionth vehicle in 1985.
A year later, Hyundai came to the US when it passed the emissions test. It didn’t take long for consumers to fall in love with the models because of their affordable price tag. Hyundai continued to develop technology and in 1988, it built the Sonata, which was the first to use Hyundai technology. All the hard work paid off when the manufacturer was listed in the top 100 most valuable brands globally.
The Brand Now
Hyundai continues to grow and innovate with new models introduced on a regular basis. The largest integrated manufacturing facility for vehicles is located in South Korea, in Ulsan. It is able to build up to 1.6 million units annually with models sold in 193 countries. There are six R&D centers continuing to develop new systems and technology. Three are located right in South Korea with one in Japan, Germany and India. The final center is located in the US in California, which focuses solely on US models.
Hyundai is well-known in the sedan category with models such as the Elantra and Sonata, which is still popular today. However, the company reigns supreme with SUV’s, including full-size models such as the Santa Fe with seating for five and the Palisade with seating for eight. Compact models include the Kona and Venue.
The hatchback is another market where Hyundai has done well. The Veloster is a sporty hatchback with modern style while the Elantra GT offers versatility. Hyundai is focused on hybrid technology to remain competitive into the future with models like the IONIQ, which offers both the electric and plug-in hybrid models. You can find alternative fuel options for the Kona and Sonata as well. Nexo is a hydrogen fuel-cell sport utility vehicle, which is the first of its kind.
To see one of these fabulous Hyundai models in person and find out how they fit into your life, visit Premier Clearance Center Metairie. Take one for a test drive and make it yours.