정의선 현대자동차그룹 회장이 차량 전동화 체제, 소프트웨어 중심으로의 전환과 더불어 자율주행 등 신사업에 적극적인 행보를 이어나갈 것이라고 발표했다.
▲ Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun (Photo source: Hyundai Motor Group)
Diversification of electric vehicle classes and plans to convert all models to SDVs by 2025
New business plans for autonomous driving, robotics, and energy are specified Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun announced that the group will continue to actively pursue new businesses such as autonomous driving, along with a shift to a vehicle electrification system and software-centered approach.
Chairman Chung Eui-sun held a New Year's party at the Hyundai Motor Company-Kia Namyang Research Center on the 3rd and announced the Hyundai Motor Group's plans for 2023.
Chairman Chung emphasized the following: △continuing the transition to an electrified system, △shifting to a software-centered approach, and △creating future growth engines in new business areas.
Chairman Chung Eui-sun expressed his strong will for electrification, saying, “We will solidify our global electric vehicle leadership and continue the transition to an electrification system by developing and supplying even more advanced vehicles in 2023.”
Hyundai Motor Group plans to launch various electric vehicles this year, from light vehicles to flagships, including the EV9, Kona EV, and Ray EV, to expand customers’ opportunities to experience electric vehicles and strengthen its top-tier position in the global electric vehicle market.
He then emphasized the importance of software.
He said, “We need to convert the entire company’s systems, including R&D, to software-centric. “Only then can we secure the capacity to create a more perfect SDV and stay ahead of the global competition,” he said.
Hyundai Motor Group plans to convert all vehicle models to SDV by 2025, allowing customers to enjoy safe and comfortable freedom of movement and innovative user experiences connected by software.
By 2025, we will apply over-the-air (OTA) software updates as standard to all vehicle models sold in the global market and provide personalized services such as software updates and subscriptions.
We build a data platform to connect and process various data generated throughout the vehicle life cycle to provide continuous innovation services.
Chairman Chung Eui-sun also said, “We are taking on challenges in various business areas to secure the group’s future growth engine,” and specified plans for new business areas such as autonomous driving, future mobility, robotics, energy, and new materials. He said, “In the autonomous driving field, we plan to launch a vehicle capable of highway autonomous driving (Level 3) in Korea and commercialize robotaxis equipped with Level 4 technology in North America.”
Hyundai Motor Group will introduce the G90 and EV9 equipped with the 'HDP (Highway Driving Pilot),' a level 3 autonomous driving function for highways, in Korea in the first half of this year.
In addition, the company plans to commercialize a Level 4 Ioniq 5 robotaxi service that does not involve drivers in the U.S. through Motional and in collaboration with ride-sharing companies such as Uber.
In relation to the future mobility sector, “We will fully introduce PBV (purpose-based mobility) vehicles that fit the purpose of moving people and objects to the market, and also develop an AAM (future air mobility) prototype aircraft, which is an air transportation means.He also said, “We will also build leadership as a mobility service provider.”
Following the launch of the PBV Niro Plus last year, the Hyundai Motor Group will expand its vehicle lineup this year and launch a dedicated PBV model using a skateboard platform in 2025.
In addition, the company is speeding up the development of AAM aircraft by signing business agreements with major aviation companies such as Rolls-Royce and Safran.
Chairman Jeong Ui-seon also explained about the robotics field, “Through close collaboration between the Robotics Lab, Boston Dynamics, and the BD-AI Research Institute, we will steadily complete the value chain of supplying human-friendly products that support human welfare and convenience.”
Hyundai Motor Group established the Boston Dynamics AI Institute (BD-AI) last year and is focusing on securing advanced AI capabilities that can create synergies with various future new businesses, including robotics.
Chairman Chung Eui-sun also said, “We will continue to secure the group’s future growth engine by promoting expansion into new energy business areas such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and spurring the development of safer ultra-high-strength steel products and fostering smart logistics solutions.”
Hyundai Motor Group is actively entering new energy businesses such as small nuclear reactors, hydrogen production, and power brokerage, and is also accelerating the development of ultra-high strength steel products and new materials for future mobility.
In addition, we are carrying out various social responsibility management activities to achieve carbon neutrality and ensure a sustainable future for future generations, the environment, and the community.
By 2040, we will sell only zero-emission electric vehicles in major markets and promote marine ecosystem restoration projects such as tidal flat restoration and marine plastic collection and recycling.
We plan to replace 100% of the electricity demand at our global business sites with renewable energy in the future.
In addition, we are supporting the transition of small and medium-sized parts companies to electrification, operating large-scale support programs for shared growth, and carrying out genuine activities for future generations and vulnerable groups around the world, such as the 'for Tomorrow' campaign and the 'Green Light Project'.
Finally, Chairman Jeong Ui-seon said, “If we build trust through constant challenges even in the midst of an uncertain external environment and rapidly changing industrial paradigm, and continue to actively change with the will to succeed, a positive mindset, and meticulousness, we will be able to make a leap forward and continue sustainable growth,” adding, “I hope everyone will join us on this journey toward a better future.”