Hyundai Motor's US Mohave Test Site 20th Anniversary... Chung Euisun "Core Role in Future Innovation"

Driving Tests in the Heart of the Desert
5,000 Vehicles, 32 Million Kilometers Tested
Chairman Chung Plays Golf with Trump Jr.

The 'Mojave Test Track' in California, USA, symbolizing the quality management of Hyundai Motor Company and Kia, has marked its 20th anniversary since establishment. Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, who visited the United States to attend the commemorative ceremony, accompanied Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of U.S. President Donald Trump, for a round of golf.

On the 10th (local time), Hyundai Motor Company and Kia held a 20th anniversary commemorative event at the Mojave Test Track located in California City, California, USA, and praised the researchers who have worked hard to secure perfect quality and performance, the company announced on the 13th.

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia held a 20th anniversary event on the 10th (local time) at the Mojave Driving Test Center located in California City, California, USA. Chairman Chung Eui-sun is signing a commemorative autograph with the event attendees. (Photo by Hyundai Motor Company)

Chairman Chung, along with Vice Chairman Jang Jae-hoon in charge of finished vehicles, Hyundai Motor CEO Jose Munoz, and President Yang Hee-won of the R&D headquarters, attended the event to reflect on the past history of the Mojave Test Track with employees and communicate about the future direction.

Chairman Chung said, "Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Mojave Test Track and researchers over the past 20 years, Hyundai Motor Group has made meaningful progress," adding, "We must focus on pioneering technologies such as AI, robotics, SDV, electrification, and hydrogen technology while looking to the future, and research facilities like the Mojave Test Track will play a key role in these innovations."

He further urged the local researchers, "In the journey of the next 20 years, please continue your efforts to turn challenges into opportunities and setbacks into successes to fulfill our mission."

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia held a 20th-anniversary celebration on the 10th (local time) at the Mojave Driving Test Center located in California City, California, USA. Driving test scene at the Mojave Driving Test Center (Photo by Hyundai Motor Company)

The employees of the Mojave Test Track reaffirmed their commitment to providing customers with the highest safety, quality, and performance, and strengthened their determination for even more thorough refinement.

In 2005, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia invested approximately 120 billion KRW to build the Mojave Test Track in the middle of the Mojave Desert, covering an area of 17.7 million square meters (about 5.35 million pyeong), twice the size of Yeouido. The test track consists of ▲ a 10.3 km oval high-speed circuit ▲ a climbing performance test road with six inclines ▲ a 5 km winding track ▲ a ride comfort test road with 18 types of road surfaces ▲ an off-road test road ▲ and a test road replicating U.S. highways.

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia conduct evaluations ranging from ride comfort and handling to noise, vibration, and durability tests. In summer, they utilize the climate exceeding 54°C to test the thermal durability and cooling performance of vehicles and parts, verifying vehicle quality from multiple angles. To date, over 5,000 Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles have undergone harsh driving tests covering more than 32 million kilometers at the Mojave Test Track.

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia held a 20th anniversary event on the 10th (local time) at the Mojave Driving Test Center located in California City, California, USA. From the second person on the left in the front row: John Rob, Director of HATCI; Manfred Harrer, Vice President of Vehicle Development; Luc Donckerwolke, CCO; Yang Heewon, President and Head of R&D Division; Chung Euisun, Chairman; Jang Jaehoon, Vice Chairman in charge of finished vehicles; Jose Munoz, CEO of Hyundai Motor Company; Shin Jaewon, President and Head of AAM Division; Yoon Seungkyu, Vice President and Head of Kia North America Division. (Provided by Hyundai Motor Company)

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia have established a localized R&D system in the U.S. for product planning, design, engineering, and testing to provide mobility optimized for the North American market. Starting with the establishment of the Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI) in Missouri in 1986, they operate specialized powertrain research facilities such as the Chino Lab and the Mojave Test Track in California, as well as the Design & Engineering Center and North America Quality Center. Additionally, they run 'CRADLE,' a next-generation technology research facility and innovation hub in Silicon Valley.

Hyundai Motor Group has created over 570,000 direct and indirect jobs in the U.S., including local R&D hubs and production bases in Alabama and Georgia, and has invested more than $20.5 billion (approximately 30 trillion KRW) in the U.S. since 2002.

Meanwhile, Chairman Chung visited the pro-am event held ahead of the '2025 Genesis Invitational.' Donald Trump Jr. and his daughter Kai Trump participated in the pro-am, and it is reported that Chairman Chung and Donald Trump Jr. had a conversation there.

The Genesis Invitational, held until the 16th, will be conducted as a PGA Tour 'Signature Event' like last year, featuring 72 players including world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, No. 3 Rory McIlroy, and No. 5 Hideki Matsuyama. Signature Events refer to the eight most prestigious PGA Tour tournaments with limited player participation.

This year’s tournament will be held at the Torrey Pines Golf Course instead of The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, where last year’s event took place, due to wildfire damage in the Southern California area.

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