Hyundai Motors closed down its internal combustion engine development department, instead focusing its efforts on the developing electric powertrains for their lineup of vehicles.
The department was stationed at the company’s research and development headquarters in Namyang, South Korea. Hyundai Motors developed its first engine back in 1983.
Hyundai has been slowly moving towards EV development. Previously, the company EV development fell under the powertrain unit.
However, with recent changes, Hyundai established an Electrification Development Team to focus the companies efforts on EVs.
The Electrification Development Team includes a battery development centre and electric powertrain team.
Hyundai Motors had its own battery design and battery performance development teams. The company confirmed that teams would move to the new division, according to The Korea Economic Daily.
It is unclear how many other Hyundai Motor teams will move under the new division.
Hyundai, along with its subsidiary, Kia Motors, hopes to sell 1.7 million electric vehicles in 2026. It is a bold strategy but a necessary move by the Korean automakers.
However, there is a fair amount of work to do. Hyundai only has a few EV’s in their North American lineup at the moment. The company has three models: the Hyundai Kona Electric crossover, Hyundai Ioniq 5 SUV and the Hyundai Ioniq Electric sedan.
Source: The Korea Economic Daily
