Jeong Eui-sun Leaves New Year Message at Electric Vehicle Factory: "Electrification Innovation, Worldwide"

Group's First Electric Vehicle Dedicated Factory
New Year's Meeting at Kia Gwangmyeong Plant
Continuous Change Is the Key to Innovation
Must Pursue Steady Development
In All Areas Including Quality, Safety, and Products
Competitiveness Based on Creativity Is Essential

Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun held a New Year's meeting on the 3rd at the group's first dedicated electric vehicle factory and urged for an 'electrification innovation.' Chairman Chung attended the company’s New Year's meeting held at Kia Autoland Gwangmyeong (Kia Gwangmyeong Plant) and said, "I am honored to start the new year with you at the dedicated electric vehicle factory," adding, "The electrification innovation that will begin here and extend to Ulsan, the United States, and the world is highly anticipated."

The Gwangmyeong Plant is one of Kia’s domestic production bases, and upon its completion in the second quarter of this year, it will become the first dedicated electric vehicle factory in Korea. Final construction work is underway with the goal of launching the small electric vehicle EV3 in the first half of this year. This year marks the 80th anniversary of Kia’s establishment and the 50th anniversary of the release of its first passenger car, the Brisa. Employees from the Gwangmyeong Plant as well as some employees from group affiliates participated online in the event.

Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun is making a speech at the company's New Year's event held on the 3rd at Kia's Gwangmyeong plant.
[Photo by Hyundai Motor Group]

At the event, Chairman Chung said, "We will make this a year of steady and continuous change to achieve sustainable growth," and added, "We aim to build a healthy constitution that is not shaken by difficulties."

The reason for presenting change as the New Year's message was due to the rapid technological advancements surrounding mobility and intensified global competition. Although there are concerns about the need to adjust the pace of electrification amid signs of slowing electric vehicle demand, he encouraged continuous change.

Chairman Chung emphasized, "Most people hope for stable conditions to continue, but that means stagnation and obsolescence," and said, "Customers always want the best products and services better than now, so we must not be complacent but constantly change and pursue steady progress." He added, "Continuous change is the key to innovation," and said, "Although struggling for change may seem somewhat unstable and precarious, it is proof that we are transforming and developing into a healthy constitution."

At the Hyundai Motor Group New Year's meeting held on the 3rd, Chairman Chung Eui-sun (second from the right in the photo) is touring various parts of the factory. Once operational as an electric vehicle-only plant aimed at mass production in the second quarter of this year, it will become the first electric vehicle-only plant in Korea.
[Photo by Hyundai Motor Group]

He also emphasized creativity and a spirit of challenge. Chairman Chung said, "Instead of being preoccupied with catching up to competitors, giving complete satisfaction to customers is the best strategy and tactic," and added, "I hope you secure competitiveness based on creativity in all areas, from quality and safety to products, services, and pricing."

Sustainability, the biggest issue in corporate management, was also highlighted. As specific directions for this, he presented environment, quality, and security awareness. Chairman Chung said, "To grow sustainably with humanity, we must pay more attention to carbon neutrality and the circular economy," and added, "We need to quickly establish a hydrogen ecosystem and strengthen carbon neutrality activities through small reactors and clean energy." He further said, "To protect intellectual assets, which are the source of sustainable growth, please strengthen processes and establish a perfect system."

Chairman Chung Euisun of Hyundai Motor Group and employees are holding a New Year's party at Kia Gwangmyeong Plant on the 3rd.
[Photo by Hyundai Motor Group]

He stressed the need for proactive preparation as global economic recession and uncertainty have increased, including in Korea. He said, "To continue sustainable growth and prepare for various situations, we must be ‘ready in advance,’" and added, "We must always diligently learn and research to have the knowledge to make correct judgments and develop the capability to make quick decisions."

At the event, Kim Heungsoo, Vice President of GSO in charge of various new businesses, reported on the achievements and future plans of the robotics business. Vice President Kim emphasized the importance of the AI research institute’s role in implementing robots in industrial sites and society at large. He said, "The AI research institute will be a booster that solidifies our leading position in the robotics industry through robot AI combined with the physical world, focusing on research in motor intelligence and cognitive intelligence."

Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun is greeting employees at the New Year's meeting on the 3rd.
[Photo by Hyundai Motor Group]

Shin Jaewon, Head of the AAM Division, said, "We plan the first flight of a prototype for technology development by the end of this year and will devote ourselves to developing follow-up models, aiming to successfully enter the market in 2028 with the safest and most innovative aircraft."

Kia President Song Hoseong said that advanced technologies will be applied to the logistics process for parts transportation and the overall production process at the soon-to-be-operational Gwangmyeong electric vehicle factory to realize an ‘eco-friendly human-centered’ factory. President Song stated, "By producing 150,000 units annually of the EV volume models EV3 and EV4, the plant will play a pivotal role in leading the popularization of electrification."

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