Hyundai Motor Abolishes Engine Development Center... Accelerates Electrification Development

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] Hyundai Motor Company has abolished the Engine Development Center within its Research and Development (R&D) headquarters and reorganized its R&D structure to focus on electrification.

According to industry sources on the 23rd, Hyundai Motor restructured the organization of its R&D headquarters, commonly known as Namyang Research Center, on the 17th, renaming the powertrain division, a major subordinate organization, to the Electrification Development Division.

The renaming of the organization responsible for powertrain?which refers to a series of mechanisms that transmit power such as transmissions and clutches?to the Electrification Development Division clearly indicates that the main goal of the organization going forward is the transition to electrification.

To this end, the Engine Development Center under the Electrification Development Division was completely abolished, and all powertrain-related centers were converted into electrification-related organizations.

Additionally, a Battery Development Center was newly established to enhance competitiveness in batteries, a core component of vehicle electrification.

This was carried out under the leadership of President Jungguk Park, who took over as head of the R&D headquarters in the year-end personnel reshuffle. In an email sent to employees, President Park explained the background of the reorganization by stating, "The transition to electrification is now inevitable."

Furthermore, Hyundai Motor integrated the PM (Project Management) and Product Integrated Development divisions to reduce and streamline the decision-making process.

A Hyundai Motor official explained, "The organization was reorganized to focus on electrification," adding, "While it is true that the intermediate title of Engine Development Center has disappeared, only the name was removed, and the engine development teams under it were moved under other centers; this does not mean the internal combustion engine development organization has been abolished."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.