Hyundai Motor Group shifts focus to AI, robotics after global sales success

Hyundai Motor Group is accelerating its shift toward an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven mobility and physical AI company, as Executive Chairman Chung Euisun marks his sixth anniversary in office

Chung took office on October 14, 2020, with the group focused on electrification and profitability under his leadership. It ranked third globally in vehicle sales in 2022, behind Toyota Motor Corp. and Volkswagen Group, and has held that position for four consecutive years through 2025.

Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp. posted combined revenue of more than 300 trillion won ($224.7 billion) for the first time last year. Their combined operating profit also surpassed Volkswagen Group’s for the first time.

The group’s growth has been driven in part by its electrification strategy, including its Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), and sales of hybrid vehicles, sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and Genesis luxury models. It sold about 1.76 million eco-friendly vehicles last year.

In the first half of 2026, Hyundai Motor’s global hybrid vehicle sales rose 18 percent from a year earlier to 363,000 units, while Kia’s increased 47 percent to 316,000.

Hyundai Motor Group plans to combine automotive technology with AI to expand into autonomous vehicles, robotics and intelligent factories. It plans to invest a record 125.2 trillion won in Korea over five years starting this year, focusing on AI, software-defined vehicles (SDVs), robotics and hydrogen.

The group will invest 9 trillion won by 2029 to develop an industrial hub in Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province, integrating AI, robotics and hydrogen energy. In the U.S., it plans to invest $26 billion to strengthen its manufacturing base.

Speaking at the opening ceremony for Hyundai Motor’s plant in Pune, Maharashtra, India, on Wednesday local time, Chung reflected on how quickly his six years as executive chair had passed, while underscoring the importance of the group’s employees.

“I believe our people are our most important asset,” Chung said. “My mission is to do everything I can to help them grow and ensure we stay ahead in technology and quality.”