[Interview] Hyundai Motor and Kia Surprising Even a 20-Year Veteran US Engineer: "Not Followers but Leaders"

Interview with Technical Staff at US Mojave Proving Ground: "Multicultural Synergy, Growth Engine"

"The global status of Hyundai Motor and Kia brands has clearly changed compared to the past. The 'multicultural synergy' created by engineers from around the world working together is the growth engine of Hyundai Motor and Kia."

On the 11th (local time), Matthew Al Shear, the Mojave Test Track Operations Manager of the Durability Testing Team at Hyundai Motor and Kia North American Technical Center (HATCI), located in California City, California, USA, said this. He is a living witness to the history of Hyundai Motor and Kia's growth in the U.S. market, having worked at HATCI for over 20 years. Until the early 2000s, when Shear joined HATCI, Hyundai Motor and Kia were close to being value-for-money brands.

However, now with advanced IT technologies such as connected cars, over-the-air (OTA) wireless software updates, safety features, and eco-friendly vehicle technologies like electric vehicle batteries and motors coming to the forefront, Hyundai Motor and Kia's global status has changed from before. In 2022, global sales rose to 3rd place, and last year, 3rd place is also likely. Last year, sales in the U.S. market rose to 4th place.

(Photo from left) Lance Macrus, Senior Researcher of Chassis Thermal Energy Performance Testing Team at Hyundai Motor Group North America Technology Center (HATCI), Matthew Al Shear, Mojave Driving Test Site Operations Manager of Durability Testing Team at HTACI
[Photo by Hyundai Motor Group]

Shear said, "In the past, we were called the 'fast follower' in the automotive industry, and when I first started working, there was a burden about that," adding, "But I never thought I would see us establish ourselves not as followers but as market leaders."

He also mentioned changes not only in Hyundai Motor and Kia's brand status over the past 20 years but also in the Mojave Test Track. Shear said, "As technology continues to advance, we are continuously introducing tests that were unnecessary 20 years ago," adding, "Building and managing various test roads and research facilities tailored to the desert environment is also a major task."

Lance Macrus, the lead researcher of the Chassis Thermal Energy Performance Testing Team at HATCI, who is responsible for off-road driving performance evaluation at the Mojave Test Track, also recently spoke about changes at the Mojave Test Track. He particularly noted the significant increase in electric vehicle-related performance tests.

Researcher Macrus said, "Electric vehicles show completely different characteristics from internal combustion engine vehicles, so calibration tailored to that is required," adding, "In the past, research mainly focused on methods to produce high output and torque, but for electric vehicles, sometimes methods to reduce torque are needed." He continued, "Because electric vehicles quickly reach maximum torque, wheel slip easily occurs," adding, "Conversely, thanks to this characteristic, electric vehicles sometimes demonstrate superior performance off-road."

Finally, Researcher Macrus said, "I feel a sense of fulfillment knowing that I stand at the final gateway before delivering vehicles to customers," adding, "I am dedicated to testing and tuning so that customers can drive more safely."

The Mojave Test Track, located in California City, California, USA, is the cradle of Hyundai Motor and Kia's North American research and development. It is built on approximately 5.35 million pyeong (17.7 million square meters), which is twice the size of Yeouido. Hyundai Motor and Kia test all vehicles released in the North American market here. They create extreme conditions in the vast natural environment to test the limits of vehicle performance. The facility has 12 different test tracks, including a high-speed circuit, noise test track, off-road test track, tilt test track, and salt corrosion test track.

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