Written by Hyundai Motor Company
Hyundai Motor Company is the South Korean car maker that began with the Pony in 1975, and today it is known for the Tucson, the Santa Fe and the Ioniq electric cars. This guide covers the current Hyundai lineup, as well as the company’s history and ownership, its biggest achievements and its rally and touring car racing.
Hyundai Motor Company at a Glance
Founded 29 December 1967 Part of the Hyundai business group at the time
Founder Chung Ju-yung Also founded Hyundai’s construction business
Headquarters Seoul South Korea; main plant in Ulsan
Listed KRX: 005380 Korea Exchange; also traded in London
Global sales 2025 4,108,605 Up 2%; about 27% electrified
Leadership José Muñoz President and CEO since January 2025; Chung Eui-sun is executive chair of the group
Hyundai Motor Company Model Lineup
Hyundai Motor Company sells a different range in each region, so the list below shows its core models in 2026, grouped by type. SUVs make up most of its sales, especially in North America, while hybrids are growing fast. Meanwhile, the Santa Cruz pickup is being phased out, and Hyundai has said a larger mid-size pickup for the US will follow before 2030.
Cars (2)
Compact sedan
Hyundai Elantra
Gas Hybrid Sedan
The Elantra is Hyundai’s compact sedan, and it is also sold as the Avante in Korea. In 2025 it had its best US year yet, with 148,200 sold, so it remains Hyundai’s top-selling car.
Mid-size sedan
Hyundai Sonata
Gas Hybrid Sedan
The Sonata has been Hyundai’s mid-size sedan since 1985. For 2026 it is offered with gas engines as well as a hybrid, and it sold 60,094 in the US in 2025.
SUVs (6)
Small SUV
Hyundai Venue
Gas Front-wheel drive
The Venue is Hyundai’s smallest SUV in the US, where it has been sold since the 2020 model year. It also set a US sales record in 2025.
Subcompact SUV
Hyundai Kona
Gas Hybrid Electric
The second-generation Kona arrived in 2023, and it is sold with gas, hybrid or electric power depending on the market. In the US, however, the Kona Electric now comes in one trim with a range of about 200 miles.
Compact SUV
Hyundai Tucson
Gas Hybrid Plug-in hybrid
Since it sold a record 234,230 in 2025, the Tucson is Hyundai’s best-selling model in the US. It is also offered as a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid, as well as in a rugged XRT trim.
Mid-size SUV
Hyundai Santa Fe
Gas Hybrid 3 rows
The fifth-generation Santa Fe switched to a boxy, upright design in 2023, and it now has three rows of seats. As a result of strong demand, it sold a record 142,404 in the US in 2025.
Three-row SUV
Hyundai Palisade
Gas Hybrid 3 rows
The second-generation Palisade arrived for 2026 with more space and, for the first time, a hybrid. That hybrid pairs a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with two electric motors for 329 hp, while a 3.5-liter V6 is also offered.
Compact SUV
Hyundai Creta
Gas Diesel India
The Creta is Hyundai’s compact SUV for India and other emerging markets, so it is not sold in the US. It is built at Hyundai’s plant near Chennai, and it is also exported to other markets.
Electric and hydrogen (5)
Electric crossover
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Electric Global
The Ioniq 5 launched in 2021 on Hyundai’s E-GMP electric platform, and its retro design recalls the Pony. In 2022 it was named World Car of the Year, and since then it has also been built in Georgia.
Electric sedan
Hyundai Ioniq 6
Electric Global
The streamlined Ioniq 6 sedan was named World Car of the Year in 2023. It also shares its electric platform with the Ioniq 5, and a 601-hp Ioniq 6 N joined the range for 2026.
Three-row electric SUV
Hyundai Ioniq 9
Electric 3 rows
The Ioniq 9 is Hyundai’s largest electric SUV, and it went into production in March 2025 at the new Metaplant in Georgia. It shares its platform with the <a href=”https://www.autogathering.com/kia/”>Kia</a> EV9.
Small electric car
Hyundai Inster
Electric Europe & Asia
The Inster is a small electric city car for Europe and Asia, and it is not sold in the US. It is also based on the Casper, a small car that Hyundai sells in Korea.
Hydrogen fuel-cell SUV
Hyundai Nexo
Hydrogen Fuel cell
When the second-generation Nexo was revealed in 2025, it had boxy, retro-futurist styling. It runs on hydrogen, so in the US it is sold only in California, where there are filling stations.
Pickup (1)
Compact pickup
Hyundai Santa Cruz
Gas Pickup Ending
The Santa Cruz is a compact pickup built in Alabama since 2021. However, reports in early 2026 said Hyundai will end production sooner than planned, before a larger pickup arrives.
Performance (N) (2)
Sport sedan
Hyundai Elantra N
Gas Front-wheel drive Manual or automatic
The Elantra N is Hyundai’s performance sedan, and it was also developed by its N division. It uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, and buyers can still choose a manual gearbox.
Electric performance SUV
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Electric All-wheel drive
The Ioniq 5 N is Hyundai’s high-performance electric crossover, and it was named 2024 World Performance Car. Meanwhile, its sister, the new Ioniq 6 N, won the same award in 2026.
What Is Hyundai Motor Company?
Hyundai Motor Company is a South Korean car maker headquartered in Seoul, and it is one of the largest car makers in the world by production. It was founded on 29 December 1967 by Chung Ju-yung, who had earlier built up a large construction business. In addition, the name Hyundai means “modernity” in Korean.
At first, Hyundai assembled the Ford Cortina under license, starting in 1968. Then, in 1975, it launched the Pony, the first South Korean car, with styling by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign and engines from Mitsubishi. Exports began in 1976, and when the Excel went on sale in the US in 1986, Hyundai sold 168,882 cars there in its first year.
Today Hyundai Motor Company leads Hyundai Motor Group, which also includes Kia and the luxury brand Genesis. It builds cars in Korea, the US, India, Europe and several other countries, and its plant in Ulsan is the world’s largest single integrated car factory. In addition, it sells hybrids, electric cars and hydrogen fuel-cell cars side by side, so electrified models made up about 27% of its global sales in 2025.
Hyundai Motor Company History
Hyundai Motor Company grew from a car assembly business in Ulsan into one of the world’s largest car makers in less than 60 years.
- 1967 Chung Ju-yung founds Hyundai Motor Company on 29 December.
- 1968 Soon after, Hyundai starts assembling the Ford Cortina in Ulsan.
- 1974 The Pony Coupe concept, designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, is shown at the Turin Motor Show.
- 1975 The Pony goes on sale as the first South Korean car.
- 1976 Hyundai then begins exporting cars, starting with the Pony in Ecuador.
- 1986 When the Excel reaches the US, Hyundai sells 168,882 cars there in its first year.
- 1998 During the Asian financial crisis, Hyundai buys a majority of rival Kia.
- 2005 Hyundai’s first US factory, in Montgomery, Alabama, starts production.
- 2009 The Genesis sedan is named North American Car of the Year.
- 2013 Later, the ix35 Fuel Cell becomes the world’s first mass-produced hydrogen fuel-cell car.
- 2015 Then, in November, Genesis becomes a separate luxury brand.
- 2019 Hyundai wins its first World Rally Championship manufacturers’ title, and then it wins again in 2020.
- 2021 The Ioniq 5 launches, while Hyundai Motor Group also takes control of Boston Dynamics.
- 2024 Thierry Neuville wins the WRC drivers’ title, and Hyundai Motor India completes India’s largest stock market listing.
- 2025 José Muñoz becomes CEO, and the Georgia Metaplant opens in March.
- 2026 The new Palisade adds a hybrid, while the Genesis Hypercar makes its Le Mans debut.
Iconic Hyundai Models
These six cars shaped the reputation of Hyundai Motor Company, from the first Korean car to its first hydrogen and electric models.
1975
Hyundai Pony
First Korean car
The Pony was the first South Korean car, and it was styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro. Its export success also turned Hyundai into a global brand.
1985
Hyundai Excel
US breakthrough
The low-priced Excel took Hyundai to the US in 1986, and as a result it set a record for first-year sales by a new brand there.
2008–2013
Hyundai Genesis (first generation)
Rear-wheel drive Luxury sedan
Hyundai’s first rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan was named North American Car of the Year for 2009. Later, it gave its name to the Genesis luxury brand.
2013
Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell
First mass-produced fuel-cell car
Built in Ulsan from February 2013, this crossover was the first hydrogen fuel-cell car to be mass-produced and sold. It then led to the Nexo.
2016–2022
Hyundai Ioniq
Hybrid, plug-in and electric
The first Ioniq was sold as a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid and a fully electric car from one body. Later, its name became Hyundai’s electric sub-brand.
2021
Hyundai Ioniq 5 (first year)
World Car of the Year
The Ioniq 5 brought back the Pony’s sharp lines in electric form, and in 2022 it won World Car of the Year, World Electric Vehicle and World Car Design of the Year.
Who Owns Hyundai Motor Company?
Hyundai Motor Company is a public company listed on the Korea Exchange. Its largest shareholder is Hyundai Mobis, the group’s parts maker, while the founding Chung family holds smaller stakes and Chung Eui-sun, the founder’s grandson, is executive chair of the group. Hyundai also owns about a third of Kia and runs the Genesis brand. When AutoGathering has a page for a brand, its name below links to that page.
Shareholders Public shareholders KRX: 005380 · largest shareholder Hyundai Mobis (about 22%)
This page Hyundai Motor Company Seoul · Hyundai, Genesis and N brands
100% Genesis Luxury brand, separate since 2015
About 34% Kia Largest shareholder since 1998
Majority Hyundai Motor India Listed in India since October 2024
Group Boston Dynamics Robotics maker, controlled by the group since 2021
Sister brands
Hyundai shares platforms, engines and factories with its sister brands inside Hyundai Motor Group.
- Kia (EV9 and Ioniq 9 share a platform)
- Genesis (luxury brand)
- Hyundai N (performance models)
- Hyundai Mobis (parts and systems)
In addition, Hyundai Motor Group is separate from other companies that still use the Hyundai name, such as the HD Hyundai shipbuilding group, although they share the same founder.
Early partners
- Ford (from 1968) Hyundai’s first car was the Ford Cortina, assembled under license in Ulsan.
- Mitsubishi Motors (1970s onward) Mitsubishi supplied engine and drivetrain technology for the Pony and later models.
- Italdesign Giorgetto Giugiaro styled the Pony and the Pony Coupe concept, which Hyundai rebuilt with him in 2023.
Hyundai Motor Company Accomplishments
The record of Hyundai Motor Company rests on fast growth, early hydrogen and electric cars, as well as on world titles in rallying.
4.1 million
Vehicles sold in 2025
Hyundai Motor Company sold 4,108,605 vehicles worldwide in 2025, up 2%, while hybrid sales grew 32%.
901,686
US sales in 2025
It was Hyundai’s third record year in a row in the US, so the Tucson, Elantra, Santa Fe and Palisade all set records.
1975
First Korean car
The Pony made Hyundai the first South Korean company to build its own car in large numbers.
168,882
Excels sold in 1986
It was a record for a new car brand’s first year in the US.
2013
First mass-produced fuel-cell car
The ix35 Fuel Cell was the first hydrogen car built on a production line and sold commercially.
2
World Car of the Year awards
The Ioniq 5 won in 2022 and the Ioniq 6 in 2023, while the Ioniq 5 N and Ioniq 6 N also won World Performance Car.
Ulsan
Largest single car plant
In addition, Hyundai’s Ulsan complex is the world’s largest single integrated car factory.
2
WRC manufacturers’ titles
Hyundai won the World Rally Championship for manufacturers in 2019 and 2020, and then Thierry Neuville took the drivers’ title in 2024.
2024
India’s largest listing
Hyundai Motor India completed the largest initial public offering in India’s history in October 2024.
Hyundai Racing History
Hyundai Motor Company races through Hyundai Motorsport, based in Alzenau, Germany. Its main program is the World Rally Championship, where it has competed since 2014, although it had also rallied in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In addition, it builds customer touring cars, and it has tested its N cars at the Nürburgring for years. Meanwhile, its sister brand Genesis entered the Hypercar class of the World Endurance Championship in 2026, with a debut at the Circuit de la Sarthe.
World Rally Championship
Hyundai in the WRC
2 manufacturers’ titles 1 drivers’ title
Hyundai returned to the WRC in 2014 with the i20 WRC, and Thierry Neuville took its first win that year at Rallye Deutschland. It then won the manufacturers’ title in 2019 and 2020. Finally, in 2024, Neuville and co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe won the drivers’ title in the i20 N Rally1. Hyundai confirmed it would race in 2026, although its plans for 2027 were still undecided.
WTCR and TCR
Hyundai in touring cars
2018 WTCR title i30 N TCR
The i30 N TCR won on its debut season in the World Touring Car Cup, because Gabriele Tarquini took the 2018 drivers’ title, while the YMR team won the teams’ title. Since then, Hyundai has sold the i30 N TCR and the Elantra N TCR to private teams in TCR series around the world.
Talk Hyundai With Other Owners
Hyundai owners have plenty to share, whether it is a high-mileage Elantra, an Ioniq 5 road trip or an Elantra N track day. Soon, AutoGathering will connect this page to a Hyundai community space where owners and enthusiasts can compare models, share maintenance tips and plan meetups.
- Electric ownership and charging
- Hybrid ownership
- Warranty and maintenance
- N performance and track days
- Family SUVs
- Classic Hyundai restoration
- Hyundai meets and events
- Buying used
Hyundai Motor Company FAQ
Who founded Hyundai Motor Company?
Chung Ju-yung founded Hyundai Motor Company on 29 December 1967. He had earlier built up Hyundai’s construction business, and his grandson Chung Eui-sun now leads Hyundai Motor Group as executive chair.
What does Hyundai mean?
Hyundai means “modernity” in Korean. The name was first used for the founder’s construction business, before the car company was set up in 1967.
Who owns Hyundai Motor Company?
Hyundai Motor Company is a public company listed on the Korea Exchange. Its largest shareholder is Hyundai Mobis, with about 22%, while Korea’s National Pension Service and members of the Chung family also hold stakes.
Does Hyundai own Kia?
Partly. Hyundai bought a majority of Kia in 1998 and still owns about a third of it today, so it is Kia’s largest shareholder. Both brands belong to Hyundai Motor Group, but they design and sell their cars separately.
Is Genesis made by Hyundai?
Yes. Genesis began as a Hyundai sedan in 2008 and became a separate luxury brand in 2015. It is still owned by Hyundai Motor Company, while it builds its cars mainly in Korea.
Where are Hyundai cars made?
Hyundai Motor Company builds cars in Ulsan and Asan in Korea, as well as in Alabama and Georgia in the US. It also has plants in India, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Brazil, Indonesia and other countries.
What is Hyundai’s best-selling car?
In the US, it is the Tucson, which sold a record 234,230 in 2025. The Elantra, however, is its best-selling car, with 148,200 sold that year.
Is Hyundai going electric?
Hyundai Motor Company sells electric, hybrid and hydrogen cars together, instead of betting on one technology. In 2025 it sold 269,169 electric cars and 611,783 hybrids worldwide, and it aims for 3.3 million electrified sales a year by 2030.
Explore More Manufacturers
Compare Hyundai Motor Company with its sister brands and its biggest rivals.
Photo credits
- Header image: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Silver Hyundai Elantra Limited sedan, front left…: Cutlass, CC0, cropped and resized.
- 2024 Hyundai Sonata SEL sedan, front right…: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Polar White Hyundai Venue small SUV, front…: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Second-generation Hyundai Kona N Line compact SUV: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Fourth-generation Hyundai Tucson Preferred, front right view: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Hampton Grey 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Luxury…: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Creamy White second-generation Hyundai Palisade 2.5T Calligraphy: Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2024 Hyundai Creta SX(O) compact SUV for…: CARS WORLD Kannada, CC BY 3.0, cropped and resized.
- Hyundai Inster Prime small electric car, front…: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, cropped and resized.
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD electric crossover, front…: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, cropped and resized.
- 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Limited electric sedan,…: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- White Hyundai Ioniq 9 three-row electric SUV…: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Blue second-generation Hyundai Nexo at the Seoul…: Treeinkr, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz compact pickup, front…: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2024 Hyundai Elantra N sport sedan at…: HJUdall, CC0, cropped and resized.
- Blue Hyundai Ioniq 5 N in Filderstadt,…: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- First-generation Hyundai Pony sedan in London in…: Charles01, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped and resized.
- Red 1989 Hyundai Excel GL hatchback, front…: SealyPhoto, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Phantom Black first-generation Hyundai Genesis sedan: Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell at the IAA…: Spielvogel, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Hyundai Ioniq Electric Premium in Dusseldorf in…: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, cropped and resized.
- Thierry Neuville's Hyundai i20 N Rally1 in…: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Hyundai i30 N TCR racing at Sydney…: Kytabu, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 at the IAA Mobility…: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.