Former Hyundai Motor Research Center Head Shin Hyun-dong, Who Led 'Pony' Development, Passes Away

Shin Hyun-dong, former head of the Central Research Institute at Hyundai Motor Company (and former chairman of Yujin Electronics), who led the development of the 'Pony,' known as the first domestically produced passenger car, passed away at his home in Munjeong-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, at around 3:10 a.m. on the 17th. He was 94 years old.

Born in December 1929 in Andong, Gyeongbuk, the late Shin graduated from Daegu Agricultural and Forestry School and the Army Ordnance School, then worked for over ten years as an instructor in the Army Ordnance Engineering Department. Fluent in English, he introduced automotive theory to Korea by translating U.S. Military Academy automotive textbooks. In the late 1960s, he moved to Hyundai Motor Company and was promoted repeatedly, becoming an executive (director in charge of technology) in the early 1970s.

Shin Hyun-dong, former head of Hyundai Motor Company's Central Research Institute.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Hyundai began developing domestic cars in 1973 when the Park Chung-hee government promoted the 'Plan to Foster the Indigenous Model Automobile Industry.' Hyundai decided to produce cars independently and entrusted Shin with the project leadership.

In 1974, Shin showcased a prototype at the Turin Motor Show in Italy and led the launch of the Pony in January 1976. At that time, Hyundai Motor Company President Chung Se-young said, "If the Pony cannot climb Namsan, we are doomed," and personally tested the Pony’s performance by driving around Seoul’s Namsan area.

In 1983, Shin advocated for Hyundai to develop its own engine (the Alpha engine) and was appointed head of the engine development department in September of that year. After completing the Mabuk-ri Research Institute in November 1984, he served as the institute’s director and advisor. The Alpha engine was developed under the leadership of Dr. Lee Hyun-soon and others and was completed in 1991, two years after Shin’s retirement. Chung Se-young, chairman of Hyundai Motor Company and known as 'Pony Chung,' awarded Shin a plaque of merit for his advocacy of the Alpha engine’s development.

After retiring from Hyundai Motor Company, Shin operated Yujin Electronics, a company supplying various electrical wiring used in the Hyundai Avante, until the early 2000s.

He is survived by his wife Bae Soon-nam and their four children: Shin Young-chul (Distinguished Professor at Purdue University, USA), Shin Young-hye, Shin Kyung-chul (former chairman of Yujin Robot), and Shin Ki-chul (former CEO of Yujin Electronics). His daughters-in-law include Kim Yoon-kyung, Hyun Eun-ja (professor of Child and Adolescent Studies at Sungkyunkwan University), and Yuk Se-ra, and his son-in-law is Jang Wook. The funeral is being held at the Seoul Asan Medical Center funeral hall.

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