Who Owns Hyundai?

Hyundai Motor Company was founded in 1967 by Chung Ju-yung, one of South Korea's most prominent industrialists, as part of the larger Hyundai conglomerate (chaebol). The company began automobile production in 1968 with the Ford Cortina, assembled under license from Ford Motor Company at a plant in Ulsan, South Korea. This marked the beginning of South Korea's automotive industry.

In 1975, Hyundai launched the Pony, South Korea's first mass-produced automobile, designed by Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. The Pony was a significant milestone, demonstrating that South Korean companies could develop and manufacture their own vehicles rather than simply assembling foreign designs. The car was exported to markets across Asia, Africa, and South America, establishing Hyundai's first international presence.

Hyundai entered the crucial U.S. market in 1986 with the Excel, which became the least expensive car sold in America at the time. The Excel was initially a sales success, with Hyundai selling over 168,000 units in its first year. However, quality issues quickly tarnished the brand's reputation, and Hyundai became associated with cheap, unreliable vehicles throughout the late 1980s and 1990s.

The turning point came in 1999 when Hyundai introduced its groundbreaking 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty in the United States, signaling the company's commitment to quality improvement. This bold move, combined with massive investments in design, engineering, and manufacturing quality, began to transform consumer perceptions. Under the leadership of Chung Mong-koo (son of the founder), Hyundai implemented rigorous quality control systems that dramatically improved reliability ratings.

By the 2010s, Hyundai had completed one of the most remarkable brand transformations in automotive history. Models like the Sonata, Elantra, Tucson, and Santa Fe earned praise from critics and consumers alike for their design, technology, and value. The launch of the Genesis luxury brand in 2015 (spun off as a separate marque) demonstrated Hyundai's ambition to compete at the premium end of the market.

In 2025, Hyundai Motor reported global retail sales of 4,108,605 vehicles, a 2% increase compared to 2024, demonstrating resilience amid a challenging global market environment. The company's flexible powertrain strategy, combining hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery electric, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, contributed to strong electrified vehicle performance. In the U.S. market, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) reached an all-time quarterly high share of 22.6% in Q4 2025. Hyundai achieved a brand valuation of $24.6 billion in the 2025 Interbrand Best Global Brands Rankings, ranking 30th globally. For 2026, Hyundai targets global sales of 4.16 million units, annual revenue growth of 1-2%, and an operating profit margin of 6.3-7.3%.