1960s

Hyundai in the 1960s

1967 The Hyundai Motor Company is established in Seoul

1968 Hyundai and Ford work together

1967

At Hyundai:

Although the Korean State Minister of Industry and Commerce claims it’s more economical to import motor vehicles than produce them, Chung Ju-Yung decides to establish the Hyundai Motor Company in Seoul.

Around the world:

A prototype of the Concorde supersonic airliner is unveiled in Toulouse, France. British motorboat racer Donald Campbell dies while attempting a water speed record on Coniston Water. American actress and Hollywood star Julia Roberts is born.

1970s

Hyundai in the 1970s

1974 Hyundai develops its first car, the Pony

1976 First Pony exported

At Hyundai:

The Pony is unveiled at the 55th Turin International Motor Fair and becomes the first automobile ever manufactured in Korea. It's been developed using Italian, Japanese and Ford technology and expertise – and becomes a huge domestic success.

Around the world:

Mrs Thatcher becomes the first female Prime Minister of the UK. The Watergate scandal erupts in the US. West Germany defeats the Netherlands 2-1 to win the World Cup.

1980s

Hyundai in the 1980s

1982 Introduction of the Pony II

1984 Pony production exceeds 500,000 units

1985 Excel model launched – Hyundai Motor America is born

1986 Excel production exceeds 1 million

1987 Hyundai launches new trucks

1988 The mid-size Sonata is introduced

1989 Hyundai car production exceeds 3 million units

1982

At Hyundai:

After the success of the first Pony, Hyundai launches the Pony II – a facelift of the first. It has rectangular halogen headlamps, a new radiator grille, wrap-around indicators, re-styled rear lamps and a neatly designed instrument panel. Exports to the UK begin.

Around the world:

The first music CDs are launched in the UK. British Task Force sails south to take back the Falkland Islands. Pope John Paul makes an historic visit to the UK.

1984

At Hyundai:

Pony production exceeds 500,000 units – and exports to Canada begin. The new Pony Pickup goes on sale in Europe. The Stellar model is launched.

Around the world:

36 of Britain and Ireland’s top musicians form Band Aid and record the song ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’ to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia.

1985

At Hyundai:

In Europe, the Pony is replaced by the new Hyundai Excel. The Pony is sold alongside the Excel in Canada for a few more years. Hyundai Motor America is founded and quickly grows into the fourth best-selling foreign importer into the US.

Around the world:

The wreck of the Titanic is discovered on the Atlantic Ocean Floor. Back to the Future opens in American movie theatres and becomes the highest grossing film of 1985.

1986

At Hyundai:

Cumulative production of all models exceeds 1 million. The Excel is exported to the US and the Grandeur luxury car is launched.

Around the world:

Argentina beats West Germany 3-2 in the World Cup Final in Mexico. The Space Shuttle Challenger explodes on take-off from Cape Canaveral.

1987

At Hyundai:

The company’s product range expands with the launch of the Grace Minibus, the Porter 1 tonne truck and the Mighty 2.5 tonne truck.

Around the world:

Construction begins on the Channel Tunnel. A hurricane strikes southern England. Stock markets around the world fall on 'Black Monday'. The Simpsons make their first appearance on The Tracy Ullman Show.

1988

At Hyundai:

Built for the North American market, the Sonata is introduced. A mid-size saloon, the exterior is designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign and features Mitsubishi engineering.

Around the world:

The Olympic Games are held in Seoul, South Korea. Canada hosts the Winter Games.

1989

At Hyundai:

Cumulative production of all models exceeds 3 million. Excel exports surpass 1 million. The new V6 engine plant is established. Hyundai Motor Finance Company launches.

Around the world:

Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali dies. The Hillsborough disaster becomes one of football’s worst ever tragedies. ‘Ride on time‘ by Black Box is the year’s biggest selling single.

1990s

Hyundai in the 1990s

1990 Korea’s first sports fashion car is launched

1991 Car production exceeds 4 million

1992 Hyundai Scoupe Turbo scores famous rally victory

1993 Elantra wins Australian Best Car ‘93

1994 The Hyundai Accent is launched

1995 Accent wins Canadian Best Buy Award

1996 US welcomes the Tiburon sports coupe

1990

At Hyundai:

Korea’s first sports car, the sporty Scoupe is introduced. Later versions use the Hyundai Alpha straight-4 engine – the first ever designed in Korea. Exports of the Scoupe exceed 1 million in its first year.

Around the world:

East and West Germany are officially reunified. The former East Germany holds its first free election since 1932.

1991

At Hyundai:

Cumulative production of all models exceeds 4 million. Hyundai’s first engine, the alpha, is introduced.

Around the world:

In Amsterdam, twenty Van Gogh paintings are stolen, then found thirty five minutes later locked in a car. Operation Desert Storm begins, with the aim of liberating Kuwait.

1992

At Hyundai:

The Scoupe Turbo – notable for its powerful engine – wins the Pikes Peake Hill Climb Rally.

Around the world:

Buckingham palace opens its doors to the public for the first time. Signing of the Maastricht Treaty inaugurates the European Union. The FA Premier League is formed.

1993

At Hyundai:

The Elantra – a compact sedan which is sold as the Lantra in Australian and European markets until 2001 – wins Best car of 1993 in Australia.

Around the world:

Bill Clinton succeeds George H.W. Bush as US President. The Maastricht Treaty activates, formally establishing the European Union.

1994

At Hyundai:

The ultra-modern Hyundai Accent replaces the Excel model. Hyundai launches Beta, its second proprietary engine.

Around the world:

Nelson Mandela is inaugurated as South Africa’s first black President. Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain is found dead at his home in Seattle, Washington.

1995

At Hyundai:

The Accent wins the Canadian Best buy Award. The Avante – a compact to mid-size car – launches and wins the Asia-Pacific Rally.

Around the world:

Austria, Finland and Sweden join the European Union. ‘Rogue trader’, Nick Leeson, is arrested for his role in the collapse of Barings Bank.

1996

At Hyundai:

The Tiburon sports coupe is introduced to the US. The Dynasty luxury car launches. Phase 2 of the Namyang Research and Design Centre is completed. Hyundai introduces Korea’s first credit card. Cumulative vehicle exports exceed 4 million units.

Around the world:

The Prince and Princess of Wales are formally divorced. Dolly the Sheep, the world’s first cloned animal, is born.

2000s

Hyundai in the 2000s

2001 Hyundai sales at all-time US high

2004 Hyundai sales set UK record

2005 New plant opens in Alabama, US

2006 Hyundai becomes sixth largest car manufacturer

2007 New i30 unveiled at Geneva Auto Show

2001

At Hyundai:

Hyundai sets yet another record: 346,235 vehicles are sold in the US. This accounts for a 42% increase in sales over 2000 – the largest increase in the US car industry to date.

Around the world:

Pope John Paul II sends the first papal email. The Labour Party under Tony Blair is elected for a second term in the British General Election.

2004

At Hyundai:

37,611 Hyundai vehicles are sold in the UK. It’s an all-time record for the company in the UK and another example of the company’s growing popularity.

Around the world:

US voters re-elect President George W. Bush for a second term. Armed robbers steal Edvard Munch’s The Scream from the Munch Museum in Oslo, Norway.

2005

At Hyundai:

A new $1.2 billion assembly plant opens in Alabama – Hyundai’s first manufacturing outlet in the US. The company also unveils the first hydrogen-powered Tucson SUV at Los Angeles Auto Show. Hyundai is named the fifth largest car importer in the US.

Around the world:

At 66 years of age, Adriana Iliescu becomes the oldest woman to give birth. London wins the 2012 Olympics bid.

2006

At Hyundai:

Hyundai is named as the sixth largest automotive manufacturer in the world, according to the Detroit-based weekly Automotive News. Hyundai is the Official Partner of the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ in Germany.

Around the world:

Saddam Hussein is convicted of crimes against humanity by an Iraqi court and executed in Baghdad. The ‘Godfather of Soul’, James Brown, dies at the age of 73. Italy beat France on penalties in the World Cup Final.

2007

At Hyundai:

Hyundai introduces its new i30 model at the Geneva Auto Show. A new assembly plant is opened in Brazil. It will have the capability to build 50,000 units annually and includes a body welding shop, paint line and final assembly plant.

Around the world:

Gerry Adams, leader of Sinn Fein, and Rev. Ian Paisley, head of the Democratic Unionist Party, reach an agreement for a power-sharing government in Northern Ireland. French voters elect Nicolas Sarkozy as their new President.

2008

At Hyundai:

The i20 is launched in the UK. The Genesis Coupe, Hyundai’s first purpose built rear wheel drive sportscar, is revealed to the public. The Hyundai Automotive group of companies is named Automotive Manufacturer Of The Year by Autocar. The company is also named fifth largest automaker in the world.

Around the world:

Barack Obama is elected, the first African–American President of the United States. Lehman Brothers investment bank files for bankruptcy in what many people believe was the start of the global recession. Beijing hosts the 2008 Olympic Games and Spain wins football’s European Championships for the first time.

2009

The Government's Scrappage Scheme is introduced. Hyundai becomes the UK's number one Scrappage manufacturer and sees a massive rise in demand. Ending the year, the company breaks its sales record by selling over 56,000 cars. The Hyundai ix35 is revealed for the first time at the Frankfurt Motorshow. The Genesis is the first Korean vehicle to be Car of the Year in North America.

Around the world:

Swine Flu becomes the first global pandemic since Hong Kong flu in 1967-1968. The 21st century's longest total eclipse of the sun takes place across Asia, lasting 5 minutes and 40 seconds. The publisher of Reader's Digest seeks bankruptcy protection.