In a virtual address to global employees on January 4, Executive Chair Euisun Chung laid out Hyundai Motor Group’s 2026 vision, highlighting five strategic priorities: customer-focused evolution, agile decision-making, ecosystem competitiveness, bold collaboration and leading new industry standards. He stressed continuous transformation driven by direct customer insights, urging teams to question product planning compromises and to verify quality claims before customer interactions. Chung also called for leaders to engage directly in the field to accelerate clear, fast communication and decision-making, positioning the Group to respond swiftly to market headwinds and opportunities.

Chung underscored that Hyundai’s ability to maintain exceptional performance across tens of thousands of components in vehicles and humanoid robots hinges on a healthy, resilient supply ecosystem. He noted that sustainable growth depends on every tier of suppliers meeting stringent quality and performance benchmarks. To that end, the Group plans targeted investments in key component suppliers and will launch a supplier development program in Q2 2026 to drive process innovation, quality improvements and cost efficiencies across its global manufacturing footprint.

Hyundai Motor America closed 2025 with its fifth consecutive year of record annual retail sales, moving 772,712 vehicles and achieving total sales of 901,686 units. December alone saw 78,930 units sold—a 1% year-over-year rise and the best December on record—with retail sales up 3%. SUVs drove the momentum: Tucson, Santa Fe and Palisade combined for double-digit gains, while hybrid sales surged 71% in December to a monthly record. Electrified vehicles accounted for 30% of the annual retail mix, with hybrids jumping 36% and EVs up 7%, reinforcing Hyundai’s push toward a balanced hydrogen-to-battery portfolio.

Recognizing that core product competitiveness will increasingly hinge on AI capabilities, Chung highlighted plans to deepen collaboration with technology partners, academic institutions and start-ups. Hyundai aims to integrate advanced AI algorithms into vehicle design, production line optimization and user-experience platforms. The Group will pilot three AI-powered assembly processes at its Alabama and Korea plants by mid-2026, targeting a 5% reduction in cycle times and a 10% improvement in defect detection rates, thereby enhancing overall manufacturing competitiveness.