Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company was founded by Chung Ju-Yung and then later on in 1967 was founded the Hyundai Motor company. The company logo (the slanted H) symbolizes the company shaking hands with its customers. The word ''Hyundai'' means modernity and the company with its cars in the various segments strive to bring modernity through looks and technology.
The company''s first model, the Cortina, was released in cooperation with Ford Motor Company in 1968. The company started exporting its other car Pony to Canada in 1983 but not to the United States because the Pony didn''t pass emissions standards there. The Pony received accolades in Canada not only for its features, but also for the pricing.
In 1996 Hyundai came to India and established its production plant in Irrungattukotai near Chennai. The company''s first product in India was its most successful till date. The Santro charmed the Indian crowd with its tall-boy small car features. The company also managed to get Shahrukh Khan (Bollywood star) to become their brand ambassador.
Hyundai has two manufacturing plants in India located at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu. Both plants have a combined annual capacity of 600,000 units. In 2007 Hyundai opened its R&D facility in Hyderabad.
Hyundai introduced the Santro and then there has been no looking back. Though Getz did not do too well in the market, but the company came back with a bang when they brought out the i10 and the i20. The A3 segment includes the Accent and the Verna. Hyundai introduced the Verna Transform in 2010 and now is looking forward to how the car is appreciated by the Indian customers.
Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) currently exports cars to more than 110 countries across EU, Africa, Middle East, Latin America, Asia and Australia. India has been the hub of passenger car exports for the company. Hyundai boasts of a 290 dealers and 580 service centres across India.