Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center
Kicks-off Extension of Powertrain Test Field Building
- Hyundai expands Research & Development engagement at its technical headquarters in Rüsselsheim
- Hyundai quality continues its march up the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study Rankings
Rüsselsheim, June 20th, 2005 – Today, Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center GmbH (HMETC) celebrated the groundbreaking for its new Powertrain Test Field Extension Building at its location in Rüsselsheim, Germany. The motto for the event is “A Place for Excellence in Automotive Engineering”.
With the ground-breaking for the new Powertrain Test Field building Hyundai Motor confirmed its commitment to Rüsselsheim as the center of is European research and development activities. Starting from Spring 2006, additional 10 engine and transmission test benches will installed to carry out applied research, focusing on the next generation of powertrains for the European market. In addition to the existing diesel programmes, the center will start research programmes on gasoline engines and transmissions.
“We quickly will fill the additional work space with qualified engineers,” said Dr. Michael Fischer, Head of Powertrain at HMETC GmbH. “By 2007 we need to increase our permanent staff members from currently 130 to then 400 employees in our Europe Technical Center in Rüsseslheim, to develop complete cars for the Hyundai Automotive Group.”
“Europe is a strategic growth region for Hyundai”, said Nam-Yong Kim, President of HMETC GmbH. “We are successful in Europe because we are close to customers’ needs and wants. In further growing our excellence in automotive engineering at our Technical Center in Rüsselsheim we will progress to deliver some of the highest quality levels in the auto industry thereby expanding Hyundai’s potential customer base.”
Quality and reliability of Hyundai vehicles has received international appraisal; in Strategic Vision’s last Total Quality Index the Hyundai Santa Fe won in the small SUV segment, with Elantra and Sonata being co-leaders in their segments.
Furthermore, Hyundai quality continues its march up the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study Rankings: Hyundai improved its position in the 2005 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study with the third best nonluxury brand ranking in the industry - up from fourth in 2004. Significantly, Hyundai's all-new compact SUV, the 2005 Tucson, scored impressively in its first year of production, winning praise from J.D. Power as the highest quality all-new model launched in the industry in 2005.
Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Co. has grown into the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group which includes over two dozen auto-related subsidiaries and affiliates. Employing over 68,000 people worldwide, Hyundai Motor posted US$26.1 billion in sales in 2004 (on a non-consolidated basis). Hyundai motor vehicles are sold in 193 countries through some 5,000 dealerships and showrooms. Hyundai Motor Co. is a sponsor of the 2006 FIFA Germany World Cup. Further information about Hyundai Motor Europe and its products is available on the Internet at http://www.hyundai-europe.com/.
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