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Hyundai Aims to Make India Its Global Export Hub After Record IPO

Hyundai Motor Group's Executive Chair Euisun Chung conducted a 10-day tour of key markets, including India, China, and the United States, to drive global expansion. In India, he reviewed production facilities with a combined 1.5 million vehicle capacity, aiming to develop the country into a strategic export hub following Hyundai's record Indian IPO. The trip included high-level meetings in China on EV battery and hydrogen cooperation and engagements with tech leaders like Nvidia at CES 2026. The group also showcased its advanced AI and robotics strategy, featuring the Atlas humanoid robot.

Key Points: Hyundai Targets India as Strategic Export Hub Post-IPO

  • India targeted as strategic export hub
  • Review of 1.5M capacity plants
  • Meetings with CATL, Sinopec, Nvidia
  • AI and robotics strategy unveiled
  • Follows record $3B India IPO
3 min read

Hyundai Motor aims to develop India into a 'strategic export hub'

Hyundai Motor Group's chair visits India, China, and US, aiming to develop India into a key export hub following its record-breaking stock market listing.

"We must pursue a home-brand strategy for the next 30 years so that Hyundai can become a truly national company in India. - Euisun Chung"

Seoul, Jan 14

The head of South Korea's automotive giant Hyundai Motor Group has visited three key overseas markets -- China, the United States and India -- at the start of the new year as part of the group's global expansion strategy, the company said on Wednesday.

Executive Chair Euisun Chung's visits were aimed at exploring business opportunities in major economies that are expected to underpin the group's future growth, while also seeking partnerships with leading global companies, the group said in a press release.

During his visit to India, Chung toured three production facilities -- Hyundai Motor's Chennai and Pune plants and Kia's Anantapur plant -- to review production operations and sales strategies.

Hyundai Motor Group ranks second in the Indian automotive market with a market share of about 20 percent. The three plants have a combined annual output capacity of 1.5 million vehicles.

The group aims to develop India into a "strategic export hub" following the listing of Hyundai Motor India on the Indian stock market in 2024 in what was the largest initial public offering (IPO) in the country's history.

"Hyundai has been able to grow over the past three decades thanks to the support of the Indian people," Chung was quoted as saying. "We must pursue a home-brand strategy for the next 30 years so that Hyundai can become a truly national company in India."

During his 10-day trip through Tuesday, Chung attended the Korea-China Business Forum held in conjunction with President Lee Jae Myung's state visit to China, and the world's largest IT and electronics exhibition, CES 2026, in Las Vegas, and toured the group's production facilities in India, reports Yonhap news agency.

In Beijing, Chung exchanged views with Zeng Yuqun, chairman of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL), the world's largest battery maker, on cooperation in the electric vehicle (EV) battery sector. He also met with Hou Qijun, chairman of China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (Sinopec), to discuss potential collaboration in hydrogen-related businesses.

To boost sales in China, Hyundai Motor Co. launched its first China-dedicated EV model, the Elexio, in October and plans to expand its EV lineup in the world's largest automobile market to six models by 2030. Its smaller affiliate, Kia Corp., plans to strengthen its Chinese EV lineup by introducing at least one new model each year through 2027, following the launch of the EV6 in 2023.

At CES 2026, Chung held meetings with executives from global big-tech companies, including Nvidia Corp. CEO Jensen Huang and Qualcomm Inc. Chief Operating Officer (COO) Akash Palkhiwala.

The group unveiled its artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics strategy at the exhibition, with the presentation of Atlas, a humanoid robot developed by its U.S. subsidiary Boston Dynamics, drawing significant attention.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good to see global giants recognizing India's potential. But "strategic export hub" makes me wonder - will the best models and latest tech be sold here, or will India just be a cost-effective factory for exports? Hope the benefits are mutual.
R
Rohit P
My family has owned two Hyundais. Reliable cars. If this move brings more affordable EV options to the Indian market through their CATL partnership, it's a win for consumers. Our cities need cleaner transport options badly.
S
Sarah B
Interesting strategy. Visiting China, US, and India back-to-back shows where they see growth. The focus on AI and robotics from CES is crucial. Hope some of that innovation trickles down to their Indian operations and supply chain.
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Vikram M
The IPO was huge. This commitment is the next logical step. However, I respectfully disagree with the term "national company." It's a Korean MNC, and that's okay. What matters is fair treatment of Indian workers, investing in local talent, and paying taxes here.
K
Kavya N
As someone from Chennai, I've seen the positive impact of the plant on the local economy. More such investments mean more jobs and development. Hope they also focus on skill development for the future of mobility. 🤞

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