Chairman Chung Eui-sun of Hyundai Motor Group revealed his determination to make additional investments in the United States to secure the group’s growth in the key market, saying, “We’re building in America, for America.”
Chmn. Chung made the remarks while explaining countermeasures the company is taking to cope with lowering U.S. auto import tariffs from 25 percent to 15 percent at an interview with the U.S. automobile journal Automotive News on Aug. 21.
The news outlet said Hyundai Motor Group has invested $20.5 billion (28.7 trillion won) since 1986, when the group entered the U.S. market, and reconfirmed its willingness to invest an additional $21 billion (29.4 trillion won) from the early 2025 until 2028.
In March 2025, Hyundai Motor Group dedicated a new plant in Georgia, dubbed “Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA)”.
The group plans to establish an auto production system capable of producing 1.2 million units annually in the United States, including 340,000 units at the Georgia plant and 360,000 units at the Alabama plant.
The group plans to expand the production capacity of the HMGMA form 300,000 units to 500,000 units.
In a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House this past March, Chmn. Chung had already revealed the plan on additional investments.
His remarks, “We’re building in America, for America” may be analyzed by experts as Hyundai Motor Group’s message of not missing the United States, its biggest market in the world, in which the group sold 1.71 million units last year.
As for its competition with Chinese automakers, such as BYD, Chmn. Chung said, Hyundai Motor Group would make strenuous efforts to improve safety, quality, values and customer experience by always prioritizing customers.
“We will sell only pollution-free cars in major global markets by 2040 and this will be done in Europe from 2035, and it is important to realign its ecosystem, not only shift into EVs and the hydrogen energy is part of the ecosystem,” he said.
As for Hyundai Motor Group’s 2050 vision, Chmn. Chung said his group will bring an advanced robotics engineering into production facilities to create a humanity-oriented working environment for improving quality.
Boston Dynamics, a robotics engineering subsidiary of the business group, recently unveiled “Atlas,” a humanoid robot capable of carrying out refined movements seamlessly, and the robot will be put into the group’s car production lines this year, he said.
Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung and Chung Family Honored with Automotive News Centennial Award
Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Eui-sun, Founding Chairman Chung Ju-yung, and Honorary Chairman Chung Mong-koo, have been recognized with the Automotive News Centennial Award for their outstanding contributions to the global automotive industry.
Automotive News named the leaders as key figures in driving the advancement of mobility, with the Group’s automotive brands Hyundai Motor, Kia and Genesis having achieved significant success most recently under Executive Chair Chung’s leadership.
Chung has elevated the Group to a global top three automaker since his inauguration as Executive Chair in October 2020, building on the legacy of his father, Honorary Chairman Chung Mong-Koo, and his grandfather, Founding Chairman Chung Ju-yung.
His bold vision, customer-centric focus, and transformative contributions have propelled Hyundai Motor Group to become one of the most ambitious and forward-looking companies in global mobility.
“I am honored to receive this Automotive News Centennial Award and the recognition from such a respected voice in our industry,” said Executive Chair Chung.
“I have always believed that innovation must serve humanity, and that progress is only meaningful when it improves people’s lives. This recognition reflects the input and trust from our employees, partners, and customers who inspire us to think boldly and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We remain committed to creating innovative, customer-focused, and more sustainable solutions that enrich lives and drive progress for people and the planet.”
Building on decades of engineering excellence, Executive Chair Chung has reinforced the Group’s customer-centric approach to innovation, placing quality, safety, technology, design, and social responsibility at the heart of the organization’s strategy.
Chung’s tenure has seen Hyundai Motor Group accelerate investment in electrification, hydrogen fuel cell technology, software-defined vehicles, robotics, autonomous driving, and advanced air mobility, reshaping the global mobility landscape and creating an environment for a more sustainable and connected future.
Under his leadership, Hyundai Motor and Kia have won a total of 12 World Car Awards, including four consecutive World Car of the Year titles since 2022 with the Hyundai IONIQ 5, Hyundai IONIQ 6, Kia EV9 and, most recently in 2025, the Kia EV3.
Chung has led the evolution of Hyundai Motor, Kia and the Genesis luxury brand into a new era, overseeing the development next-generation platforms and software, future design directions, and customer-focused services that will define the vehicles of tomorrow.
Commenting on Chung's Centennial Award, President and CEO of Crain Communications and Publisher of Automotive News KC Crain said: “For three generations, the Chung family has shaped the global automotive industry through vision, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.”
Under Executive Chair Chung Eui-sun’s leadership, Hyundai Motor Group has honored that legacy while transforming into a global powerhouse – leading in sales, technology, quality, and style, and earning deep customer loyalty along the way.
“Guided by his purpose of ‘Progress for Humanity,’ Executive Chair Chung is driving innovation that improves lives and ensures Hyundai’s lasting impact on the global mobility industry.”
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