This is in response to the rapidly changing mobility landscape.
Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation have reorganized their joint research and development (R&D) organization to further adapt to the evolving automotive industry, which is now heavily influenced by electric vehicles (EV). The two Korean automakers aim to have faster and more flexible decision-making when it comes to developing and producing new innovative technology and products such as EVs.
The revamped R&D org structure will be led by Yong Hwa Kim, who takes on the role of the group’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and president. Kim was Hyundai and Kia’s executive vice president and has been leading the group’s R&D Division prior to his new assignment.
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Hyundai and Kia’s new R&D Org has three new units or branches that will independently focus on their respective technology development: Total Vehicle Development (TVD) Division, Vehicle SW Tech Unit, and Mobility Engineering and Tech Acceleration (META) Tech Unit.
The TVD Division will develop new models by classes or vehicle segments, including EVs. It is led by Executive Vice President Heui Won Yang, who previously held the position of Head of Total Vehicle Development Tech Unit. The Korean automakers are leaning toward the eventuality that this move will lead to a swifter rollout of new models with a particular focus on EVs as the group intends to reveal 31 new EVs by 2030.
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The group's EV organization, including the Electrified Propulsion Engineering Design Center and Electrified Propulsion Test Center, is now under the TVD Division, which allows agile decision-making in product development. Speaking of which, this might bolster Kia's plan in releasing a new EV by 2027 as announced last April during its Investor Day event.
The Vehicle SW Tech Unit, on the other hand, will seek the most efficient way for Hyundai and Kia to transition to a Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) system. The SDV allows Hyundai and Kia owners to remotely upgrade the performance and functionality of their vehicles through over-the-air (OTA) software updates. A tech that has been integrated into the Kia EV9, which is regarded as the first vehicle from the Hyundai Motor Group to implement OTA updates.
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Meanwhile, the META Tech Unit will be responsible for working on new innovative products as well as next-generation mobility concepts. This unit is tasked with integrating new tech on future Hyundai and Kia vehicles, with the hopes of replicating the global success of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 that clinched the 2022 World Car of the Year award.
“The new R&D organization will be fast and flexible, operating with the agility of a startup, and will enable us to lead in the rapidly changing mobility landscape. The new dynamic structure will meet ongoing changes in global consumer demands,” said Kim.
The two Korean automakers also decided to have an independent R&D structure for Design Centers and business units to enhance competitiveness.
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Keyword: Hyundai Wants To Act Like A Startup For Faster EV Production