Hyundai stops internal combustion engine development

Jan. 3, 2022
'Now, it is inevitable to convert into electrification,' executive tells employees

Hyundai has reorganized its R&D facility in South Korea as it will no longer be developing internal combustion engines and instead focusing on electric vehicles.

According to Business Korea and Korea Economic Daily, the automaker has closed its engine development center in the Namyang Research Institute and officially declared it will not release new models powered by internal combustion engines. The powertrain Team has been converted into the electrification development team and all powertrain-related centers were converted to electrification units.

“Now, it is inevitable to convert into electrification," said R&D chief Park Chung-kook in an email to employees. "Our own engine development is a great achievement, but we must change the system to create future innovation based on the great asset from the past.”

Another big change at the automaker is the unification of the project management team and integrated product development team in an effort to shorten its electric vehicle development schedule. The new group covers all aspects of new vehicles from design to mass production.

“The immediate task is to develop innovative vehicles that can dominate the future market. This reorganization will be an important starting point for change ahead in the new year," Chung-kook said.

Hyundai has also decided to double down on its EV commitment by establishing a battery development center.

The 2022 Ioniq 5 is Hyundai's first dedicated EV. The Ioniq 7 SUV is expected to be in production soon.

Related content:

Common diagnostics and trends in hybrid and electric vehicles

Electric vehicles: Get in front of the inevitable

Work safely with EVs

Sponsored Recommendations

ZEUS+: The Cutting-Edge Diagnostic Solution for Smart, Fast, and Efficient Auto Repairs

The new ZEUS+ simplifies your diagnostic process and guides you through the right repair, avoiding unnecessary steps along the way. It gives you the software coverage, processing...

Diagnostic Pre- and Post-scan Reports are Solid Gold for Profitability

The following article highlights the significance of pre-scans and post-scans, particularly with Snap-on scan tools, showcasing their efficiency in diagnosing issues and preventing...

Unlock Precision and Certainty: TRITON-D10 Webinar Training for Advanced Vehicle Diagnostics

The TRITON-D10 lets you dig deep into the systems of a vehicle and evaluate performance with comparative data, systematically eliminating the unnecessary to provide you with only...

APOLLO-D9: Trustworthy Diagnostics for Precision Repairs

The APOLLO-D9 provides the diagnostic information and resources you need to get the job done. No more hunting through forums or endlessly searching to find the right answers. ...

Voice Your Opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Vehicle Service Pros, create an account today!