Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Establish First Large-Scale Battery Development Hub with 1.2 Trillion Won Investment

A Site Equivalent to 27 Soccer Fields in Anseong
Research on High-Performance Lithium-Ion Battery Cells
"A Key Driver to Lead the Electrification Market"

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia are investing 1.2 trillion won in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, to establish the Hyundai Motor Group's first large-scale, battery-specialized research and development hub. The goal is to secure battery development technology, a key competitive edge in future electrification, and to lay the groundwork for "internalization" by building the full battery cell manufacturing process and directly producing batteries.

On the 28th, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia held the "Future Mobility Battery Anseong Campus" (hereafter referred to as the Battery Campus) topping-out ceremony at the 5th General Industrial Complex in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province. The event was attended by Yang Heewon, President of Hyundai Motor Company and Kia R&D Headquarters; Kim Dongwook, Vice President of Strategic Planning; Kim Changhwan, Vice President of Electrification Energy Solutions; as well as Kim Dongyeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province; Yoon Jonggun, Member of the National Assembly for Anseong; Kim Bora, Mayor of Anseong; and other government and local officials.

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia held the "Future Mobility Battery Anseong Campus Topping-Out Ceremony" on the 28th at the 5th General Industrial Complex in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province. Attendees are signing the steel beam. From left to right: Kim Changhwan, Vice President of Electrification Energy Solutions at Hyundai Motor Company and Kia; Jeon Yoonjong, President of the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology; Kang Namhoon, Chairman of the Korea Mobility Industry Association; Kim Bora, Mayor of Anseong; Yang Heewon, President of Hyundai Motor Company and Kia R&D Headquarters; Kim Dongyeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province; Yoon Jonggun, Member of the National Assembly for Anseong; Choi Woohyuk, Director of Advanced Industry Policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; Kim Yongjin, President of Gyeonggi Housing and Urban Corporation; and Kim Dongwook, Vice President of Strategic Planning at Hyundai Motor Company and Kia. Hyundai Motor Company

The Battery Campus is being developed on a site of approximately 197,000 square meters-equivalent to 27 soccer fields-with a total floor area of about 111,000 square meters. The total investment is 1.2 trillion won, and construction is underway with the goal of completion by the end of next year.

The campus will be equipped with advanced facilities capable of handling the entire battery cell manufacturing process, including electrode production, assembly, and activation. This will allow for repeated verification of the applicability, quality, and safety of innovative battery technologies. In addition to cell design technology, the company aims to secure process technology and integrated control systems linked to vehicle platforms, thereby internalizing a research and development system that comprehensively verifies battery performance and safety across the entire lifecycle-from materials to cells, modules, packs, and vehicles.

Until now, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia have conducted preliminary research on battery materials, cell design, and process technology at the Namyang and Uiwang research centers. While the existing research centers focus on the initial design and unit process verification of cells and processes, the Battery Campus will take on the role of continuously and comprehensively verifying and advancing the quality and safety of batteries to the level required for actual vehicle installation.

Furthermore, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia plan to actively apply data analysis technology, test automation, and artificial intelligence (AI)-based predictive models throughout the research and development process. This will enable the establishment of a digital verification system that can precisely predict battery performance and safety in advance. The company aims to systematically strengthen its electrification competitiveness by developing batteries optimized for electric vehicle characteristics and enhancing quality and reliability through big data analysis linking battery cells and vehicles.

At the Battery Campus, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia will focus their research on high-performance lithium-ion battery cells for next-generation electrified vehicles, including electric vehicles and extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs). In the future, they plan to expand their research and development scope to various forms and materials in response to market and technological trends.

With battery demand expected to surge across various future mobility sectors, including robotics and advanced air mobility (AAM), the company aims to strengthen its technological capabilities to respond to new businesses by leveraging the expertise accumulated in vehicle battery development.

The Battery Campus is the third large-scale domestic investment project following the Ulsan hydrogen fuel cell plant and the Hwaseong Kia PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) dedicated plant. It also signifies the realization of Hyundai Motor Group’s previously announced 125.2 trillion won domestic investment strategy, specifically in the fields of electrification and battery R&D.

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia aim to expand the "K-Battery Ecosystem" centered on the Battery Campus, driving qualitative growth in the electrification industry and nurturing core battery talent to enhance the nation's future competitiveness. In particular, by leveraging the diverse data secured at the Battery Campus, the company plans to broaden collaboration opportunities with K-Battery companies and serve as a catalyst for Korea to reemerge as a global hub of battery innovation.

At the ceremony, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Gyeonggi Province, Anseong City, Gyeonggi Housing and Urban Corporation, and National Assembly member Yoon Jonggun. Through close cooperation, each organization plans to foster the Battery Campus as a next-generation battery hub that will drive the growth of the regional secondary battery industry.

Yang Heewon, President of Hyundai Motor Company and Kia R&D Headquarters, stated, "The Battery Campus will serve as a starting point for promoting industrial collaboration and technological advancement by organically connecting the domestic battery ecosystem. I am confident that it will become a core driver not only for strengthening corporate competitiveness but also for enhancing national competitiveness and leading the global electrification market."

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