Hyundai Motor, Consecutive 2-Time Champion in Manufacturer Category at World-Class Motorsport Event 'WRC'

The Hyundai World Rally Team is cheering after securing the overall victory in the manufacturers' category at the WRC Monza Rally held in Italy from the 3rd to the 6th.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Hyundai Motor Company has maintained its top position in the '2020 World Rally Championship (hereafter WRC),' a world-class motorsport event that stands alongside F1 (Formula One).

Hyundai announced on the 7th that it secured the manufacturer championship title at the final round of the 2020 WRC (Monza Rally), held over four days from the 3rd to the 6th in Monza, Italy. It is the first time in four years since Volkswagen in 2016 that the same manufacturer has won the WRC championship two years in a row. At the final race of the WRC held in Monza, Italy, Hyundai's overall victory in the manufacturer category was celebrated alongside the playing of the national anthem.

The 2020 WRC was suspended for about six months after the third round held in Mexico in March due to the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and the remaining schedule resumed from the Estonia Rally in September. As a result, only 7 rounds, half of the originally planned 14 rounds, were held this year.

Hyundai lifted the winner's trophy three times out of the seven rounds, finishing the fiercely contested WRC season with the overall manufacturer championship. Before the rally suspension due to COVID-19, the points gap with the leading Toyota had widened to 21 points, but during the unprecedented break, Hyundai swiftly established a remote work system and systematically prepared for the latter half of the season. As a result, after the competition resumed, Hyundai achieved three consecutive double podiums, reclaimed the lead, and secured another double podium at the final Monza Rally, achieving back-to-back championships with a total of 241 points.

Hyundai re-entered the WRC in 2014, starting with 4th place in the manufacturer category in its first year, then ranked 3rd in 2015, finished as runner-up for three consecutive years from 2016 to 2018, and won the championship in 2019. Having achieved back-to-back WRC manufacturer titles this year, Hyundai plans to prepare for next season aiming for an integrated victory by winning both the manufacturer and driver championships.

Thomas Schemera, Vice President and Head of Hyundai Motor's Product Division, said, “Despite the most challenging season, we were able to earn the championship title by demonstrating Hyundai and the N brand's unique spirit of challenge. The motorsport stage is an ideal place to showcase and realize Hyundai's potential to customers, and based on the achievements gained from the WRC, we will continue to be a car manufacturer that provides driving enjoyment to customers.”

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