Hyundai R&D Motor Show inspires suppliers, rivals

HWASEONG, Gyeonggi Province ― Nearly 100 vehicles were displayed last week at Hyundai Motor Group’s research and development center in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province.

Along with the latest models of Hyundai Motor and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors, half the vehicles were carrying the badges of global carmakers like Volkswagen and BMW.

The Korean auto giant purchases new cars on the market every year to take a closer look. Unlike its rivals, which usually commission a small group of R&D staff for an inspection, Hyundai holds a full-on motor show.

This year’s show ― the Hyundai R&D Motor Show ― was held on the sidelines of an annual R&D event with its suppliers from Oct. 15-18. More than 10,000 individuals attended, most of them engineers from the carmaker’s suppliers and their subcontractors.

Marking the 11th anniversary, this year’s event featured a total of 96 vehicles, including 42 Hyundai and Kia-brand cars and 54 rival models. 

“It is a rare occasion for suppliers to get a closer look at the new cars on the market and get the inspiration to develop their own technologies,” said Kim Jin-ho, general manager at the vehicle analysis team at the carmaker’s R&D division.

Every year, Hyundai tears apart up to 30 rival vehicles, according to Kim. He declined to further elaborate on the specific models or brands they purchase, or on the team’s annual budget.

Before disposing of the displayed vehicles after the show, some of the auto parts are supplied to contractors because many of them cannot afford to purchase a new car each time they want to study them, Kim added.

Reflecting Hyundai’s latest push to compete with European premium brands, the luxury zone, exhibiting mostly flagship sedans from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi, was especially crowded with officials from Hyundai’s suppliers.

Several Chinese and Japanese visitors were also spotted carefully examining eco-friendly vehicles such as Hyundai’s hydrogen fuel-cell Tucson and Kia’s full-electric Soul, at the show’s technology zone.

“It’s quite impressive to check out Hyundai’s latest technologies. We want to benchmark their success story,” said an engineer from a Chinese supplier, declining to be named.

Another foreign visitor hinted that securing a Hyundai engine is an important mission for the Korean offices of global carmakers. He also wished to remain anonymous.

Hyundai said the show has been getting an increasing amount of attention from Chinese carmakers.

Asked about any concerns on technology leaks, the Hyundai R&D manager dismissed the possibility, saying that all of the classified technologies are discussed at a separate venue within the R&D complex.

“Most of the technology on display is already outdated. Even if that wasn’t the case, it would be impossible to commercialize them right away,” he said.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)