Hyundai Motor Group To Set Up Innovation Centre In Singapore
- By MT Bureau
- October 14, 2020
Hyundai Motor Group today announced the groundbreaking ceremony of Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre in Singapore (HMGICS). The ceremony was held virtually. The centre will act as an open innovation lab for the Group's future mobility research and development, with the aim of revolutionising the future mobility value chain.
HMGICS will focus on human-centered mobility value chain innovation with three strategic directions. The purpose of the whole initiative focuses on -
-Enhancing the value of work and the dignity of workers through a human-centered digital transformation and developing innovative systems that combine advanced technologies such as AI, ICT, and big data to allow for work environment where creative potentials are fulfilled, and human value is enhanced.
-Building a customer-centered smart mobility environment where products are tailored to customer needs and mobility services would enrich its customers' lives.
-Contributing to the building of Singapore's Smart Nation as a responsible industry member in the smart ecosystem. HMGICS, located in the heart of Singapore, will use eco-friendly energy sources like solar and hydrogen energy to help achieve carbon neutrality.
Customer-centric future
Shedding some light on the future prospects, Hyundai confirms that in the future, customers will be able to customise and purchase vehicles online using a smartphone, which will immediately start production using Hyundai's on-demand technology. The customers can then watch their car being manufactured at HMGICS. Once the car is ready for delivery, it will be transferred to the 620-meter-long Sky Track where customer can test drive the vehicle.
Sky Track will sit atop HMGICS' seven-story innovation lab located at the Jurong Innovation District (JID). Hyundai further claims that the centre will act as a test bed for a human-centered, intelligent manufacturing platform with small scale EV production facility on site. The facility will utilise the latest 'Industry 4.0' smart technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics. The logistics and assembly lines within HMGICS will be highly automated to establish a safe and efficient work environment. The Group will also test versatile systems that produce multiple models, to respond efficiently to fast-changing market environments. Hyundai confirms that the innovation centre could also explore new business concepts, including battery-as-a-service. The construction is scheduled to end by 2022.
MINI India Launches Customisation Programme
- By MT Bureau
- August 26, 2026
German luxury brand BMW Group-owned MINI India has launched Mod My MINI, a vehicle customisation programme for Cooper and Countryman models. The initiative enables owners to alter both new and existing vehicles through factory-supported upgrades.
The programme provides options to modify components, including the roof, mirror caps, spoilers and brake calipers. Customers can select from a catalogue featuring over 100 paint shades, thematic decals and original accessories, yielding up to 2.5 million potential configurations.
Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO, BMW Group India, said, “MINI has never been just a mode of transport; it is a declaration of personal style. We firmly believe that no two MINIs on the road should look the same, which is why the 'Mod My MINI' programme puts the design canvas directly into the hands of our owners. True luxury is defined by the freedom to choose, and by offering this unprecedented tier of factory-backed customisation, we ensure that every driver can define their vehicle's identity entirely on their own terms. Ultimately, small changes drive a big personality, making your driving experience as completely unmatched as your fingerprint.”
Decals applied through the programme carry a 24-month warranty from the installation date. The service is available across MINI India’s 17 sales touchpoints in 16 cities, with vehicle servicing integrated into the broader BMW Group India network spanning 51 locations.
Hyundai To Launch 26 Models In India By 2030 As Part of Ambitious Growth Strategy
- By MT Bureau
- August 26, 2026
South Korean automotive major Hyundai Motor Company has announced plans to achieve 5.55 million annual global vehicle sales by 2030, targeting a 6 percent global market share. The OEM intends to increase the share of electrified vehicles in its sales mix to 60 percent by 2030, up from 23 percent in 2025.
Interestingly, the company’s ambitious strategy includes launching or refreshing more than 100 models by 2030 across major markets, including 58 in North America, 49 in South Korea, 41 in Europe, 26 in India and 22 in China.
The product offensive features Extended Range Electric Vehicles offering over 600 miles of range, with the Santa Fe EREV set to begin production at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama in the first half of 2027.
Jose Munoz, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor Company, said, “Our fundamentals have never been stronger. Hyundai Motor Group is the third-largest automotive group and the second-most profitable, which gives us the ability to invest while others are pulling back. We are bringing more than 100 new models to market by 2030 with multiple powertrain options and raising our operating margin above 9 percent. We are leveraging partnerships to scale new technologies and opportunities and becoming a physical AI company which will produce and deploy robots and robotaxis.”
Hyundai Motor plans to add 1.27 million units of global manufacturing capacity by 2030. The expansion allocates 500,000 units to North America, 320,000 to India, 250,000 across complete knock-down sites and 200,000 to South Korea, including a facility at its Ulsan operations.
In North America, Hyundai aims to raise its local parts sourcing target to 80 percent by 2030. The brand plans to offer more than 10 hybrid models in the region, targeting a 50 percent hybrid sales mix produced at its Alabama and Georgia facilities.
The Genesis luxury brand aims to achieve 350,000 annual sales across more than 40 markets by 2030. Genesis will launch the GV80 Hybrid in the fourth quarter, followed by the GV90 flagship SUV and an EREV variant targeting a range of over 640 miles in early 2027.
The group will begin deliveries of IONIQ 5 Waymo robotaxis in the fourth quarter of 2026 from its Georgia plant, ahead of commercial driverless services later in the year. Hyundai is also collaborating with Boston Dynamics to commercialise manufacturing robotics, planning to deploy the industrial humanoid robot Atlas at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America from 2028.
Autonomous driving development includes testing Atria AI in South Korea this year, followed by Level 2+ autonomous integration on mass-produced vehicles in 2028 through a collaboration with NVIDIA. To support computing requirements, Hyundai plans to open the 100-megawatt Saemangeum AI Data Center in 2029.
In-house battery developments feature cells delivering higher output and 40 percent faster charging speeds, alongside cloud-based battery management systems aimed at extending cell life by 20 per cent by 2028. The company is introducing Thermal Runaway Protection technology on the Genesis GV90 to prevent heat transfer between battery cells.
Financial targets for 2030 include raising the consolidated operating profit margin target to above 9 percent, supported by a 3 percentage point reduction in the cost of sales ratio. For the first half of 2026, Hyundai reported revenue of 95.2 trillion won (USD 70 billion) and an operating profit margin of 5.6 percent.
Maruti Suzuki Fronx Exports Cross 200,000 Units
- By MT Bureau
- August 18, 2026
Maruti Suzuki India has announced that cumulative exports of its Fronx model have passed 200,000 units in under 38 months following the commencement of overseas shipments in June 2023.
Manufactured at the company's Hansalpur plant in Gujarat, the SUV is exported to nearly 90 markets, including Japan. The Fronx reached its initial 100,000 export milestone within 25 months, with the subsequent 100,000 units shipped over the following 13 months.
Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “Every vehicle exported by Maruti Suzuki carries the hard work and pride of our people. Together, these vehicles take a piece of Indian manufacturing to nearly 120 countries. Fronx has been a key contributor to Maruti Suzuki’s success in exports. Since FY 24-25, it has been India's No. 1 exported passenger vehicle* and is now shipped to nearly 90 countries. After crossing the milestone of 100,000 exports in record time, Fronx reached its second lakh significantly faster, underlining its growing demand in the international markets.”
“Aligned with ‘Make in India, Make for the World’, Maruti Suzuki continues to showcase the prowess of India’s manufacturing ecosystem. Sustained focus on exports has earned the Company the number one position in passenger vehicle exports from India*. Illustrating this leadership, all three of India’s top exported passenger vehicles in Q1 FY 26-27^ were from Maruti Suzuki. The growing export volumes year-on-year are a strong endorsement of the reliability and appeal of the Company’s products across global markets,” added Takeuchi.
The Fronx remains the company's primary export model within its passenger vehicle lineup, supporting its total export volume across international regions.
Jeep Launches Compass 85th Anniversary Edition In India At INR 2.67 Million
- By MT Bureau
- August 17, 2026
Stellantis-owned Jeep India has launched the Jeep Compass 85th Anniversary Edition, limited to 85 units at prices starting at INR 2.67 million (ex-showroom).
The anniversary edition incorporates visual updates to the exterior and interior of the vehicle platform. External changes include 18-inch alloy wheels finished in gloss black alongside anniversary badging. The interior cabin features a black colour scheme paired with gold accents and contrast trim detailing.
Kumar Priyesh, Business Head and Director of Automotive Brands, Stellantis India, said, "The Jeep Compass has always been central to the Jeep story in India, bringing the brand's legendary capability, design and authenticity to customers who expect more from their SUV. As Jeep celebrates 85 years globally, the Compass 85th Anniversary Edition gives this iconic nameplate a distinctive new expression. With exclusive anniversary-inspired styling, curated accessories and safety technologies, this special edition has been crafted for customers who seek a Compass that feels even more personal, intelligent and exclusive."
The vehicle is offered with optional accessory packages under the brand's personalisation options. These packages add functional and cabin features, including sunroof illumination, ambient lighting, a digital inner rear-view mirror and integrated front and rear dashcams. Bookings for the limited-run vehicle have opened across the company's dealership network and online sales platform.
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