Seoul: The head of South Korea's automotive giant Hyundai Motor Group has visited three key overseas markets-China, the United States, and India-as part of the group's global expansion strategy, the company announced Wednesday. Executive Chair Euisun Chung's visits were aimed at exploring business opportunities in major economies expected to support the group's future growth while also seeking partnerships with leading global companies, the group detailed in a press release.
According to Yonhap News Agency, during his 10-day tour, Chung participated in the Korea-China Business Forum in Beijing, aligned with President Lee Jae Myung's state visit to China, and attended CES 2026, the world's largest IT and electronics exhibition, in Las Vegas. He further toured the group's production facilities in India. In Beijing, Chung discussed cooperation in the electric vehicle (EV) battery sector with Zeng Yuqun, chairman of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL), the world's largest battery maker. He also explored potential collaboration in hydrogen-related businesses with Hou Qijun, chairman of China Petroleum and Chemical Corp. (Sinopec).
To enhance its presence in China, Hyundai Motor Co. launched its first China-dedicated EV model, the Elexio, in October and plans to expand its EV lineup to six models by 2030 in the world's largest automobile market. Its affiliate, Kia Corp., aims to strengthen its Chinese EV lineup by introducing at least one new model annually through 2027, following the launch of the EV6 in 2023.
At CES 2026, Chung engaged in discussions with executives from global big-tech companies, including Nvidia Corp. CEO Jensen Huang and Qualcomm Inc. COO Akash Palkhiwala. The group presented its artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics strategy at the exhibition, with notable attention on Atlas, a humanoid robot developed by Hyundai's U.S. subsidiary, Boston Dynamics.
In India, Chung visited Hyundai Motor's production facilities in Chennai and Pune, as well as Kia's Anantapur plant, reviewing production operations and sales strategies. Hyundai Motor Group holds a 20 percent market share in the Indian automotive market, ranking second. The three plants collectively have an annual output capacity of 1.5 million vehicles.
The group plans to transform India into a "strategic export hub" following Hyundai Motor India's listing on the Indian stock market in 2024, marking the largest initial public offering (IPO) in the country's history. Chung emphasized Hyundai's growth over the past three decades, attributing success to the support of the Indian people, and expressed the need for a home-brand strategy for the next 30 years to establish Hyundai as a truly national company in India.