1946-1975: The Early Years
Hyundai is born
and begins to acquire basic car technology.
1946
- Hyundai Auto Service Center established.
1967
- Hyundai Motor Company established.
1968
- Licensing agreement with Ford.
1974
- Subcompact car Pony, Korea's first independently designed and manufactured model,
unveiled at the 55th Turin International Motor Fair.
1976-1984: The Pony is Born
Hyundai develops
its first proprietary model, the PONY.
1976
1982
1984
- Cumulative production of the PONY exceeded 500,000.
- Exports begin to Canada.
- STELLAR introduced.
1985-1990: The Boom Years
Korea enters the
motorization era, fueling explosive domestic demand and HMC's fast growth.
1995
- Hyundai Motor America established.
- EXCEL is launched.
- New 300,000-unit plant opened in Ulsan.
1986
- Cumulative production of all models exceeded 1 million.
- EXCEL is imported to the U.S.
- GRANDEUR luxury car is launched.
1987
- Cumulative production of all models exceeded 1 million.
- GRACE Minibus, PORTER 1 ton truck, MIGHTY 2.5ton truck introduced.
1988
- Mid-size sedan SONATA introduced.
1989
- Cumulative production of all models exceeded 3 million.
- EXCEL exports surpass 1 million.
- V-6 engine plant established.
1990
- Sporty coupe SCOUPE introduced.
- Cumulative exports to the U.S. surpass 1 million.
1991 - present: Technological Maturity
Hyundai comes of
age with fully independent R&D capabilities for styling and powertains.
1991
- Cumulative production of all models exceeded 4 million.
- Alpha, Hyundai's first proprietary engine, is introduced.
1992
- SCOUPE Turbo wins at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb Rally.
1993
- ELANTRA selected as Best Car of 1993 in Australia.
1994
- Cumulative exports top the 3 million mark.
- Ultra modern ACCENT subcompact model introduced.
- Beta, Hyundai's second proprietary engine, is introduced.
1995
- ACCENT earns Canadian Best Buy Award.
- AVANTE compact introduced and wins the Asia-Pacific Rally.
1996
- TIBURON sports coupe introduced.
- SONATA III introduced.
- DYNASTY luxury car launched.
- Phase 2 of Namyang R&D Center completed.
- Hyundai introduces Korea's first credit card.
- Cumulative exports surpass 4 million.
1997
- Hyundai begins their fourth decade as an accomplished and pioneering automaker.
- With thirty years of steady growth, the corporate motto has remained the same -
Pursuing Happiness Through Cars.
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