Hyundai cars are primarily made by Hyundai Motor Company, a South Korean automaker headquartered in Seoul.
Hyundai is known for its bold design, generous standard features, and one of the strongest warranty programs in the industry.
Hyundai Motor Company is the flagship brand of Hyundai Motor Group, the South Korean conglomerate that also owns Kia Corporation and the Genesis luxury brand.
Knowing who makes Hyundai helps buyers understand the engineering foundation, manufacturing standards, and corporate resources behind every vehicle in the lineup.
This article covers Hyundai’s ownership, where its vehicles are built, its current model lineup, and how it compares to Toyota and Honda.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Hyundai?
Hyundai Motor Company is a publicly traded South Korean corporation, not owned by any foreign automaker or parent conglomerate.
Hyundai Motor Group is the umbrella organization that brings together Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation, and Genesis as sister brands under shared engineering and R&D resources.
The company was founded by Chung Ju-yung in 1967 in Seoul, South Korea, and has grown into one of the largest automotive groups in the world by annual vehicle sales.
When Did Hyundai Start Making Cars?
Hyundai produced its first vehicle in 1968, the Cortina, in partnership with Ford Motor Company.
The Hyundai Pony, launched in 1976, was the first car independently designed and engineered entirely by a Korean company.
Hyundai entered the United States market on February 20, 1986, with the Excel. It set a record for first-year US sales by any new import brand at the time.
Where Are Hyundai Cars Made?
The primary Hyundai manufacturing base is in Ulsan, South Korea, one of the largest automotive complexes in the world.
In the United States, Hyundai operates the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama plant in Montgomery, assembling the Santa Fe, Tucson, and Elantra for the North American market.
The Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Ellabell, Georgia opened in late 2024 and now produces the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9 electric vehicles.
Additional Hyundai plants operate in the Czech Republic, India, Turkey, Indonesia, and Brazil, serving those regional markets.
What Models Does Hyundai Currently Offer?
Hyundai’s North American lineup covers sedans, SUVs, and a growing electric vehicle range.
Sedans include the Elantra and Sonata. SUVs run from the subcompact Venue up to the three row Palisade, with the Tucson, Santa Fe, and Kona in between.
The Ioniq electric family includes the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, and Ioniq 9, all built on Hyundai’s E-GMP electric platform. The full lineup is on the Hyundai USA official website.
Hyundai vs Toyota vs Honda: Who Makes Each Brand?
All three are independent automakers with no foreign parent owning a controlling stake.
Toyota is the world’s largest automaker by production volume. Honda leads globally in motorcycle production and is a top ten global car company.
Hyundai has grown from a budget brand in the 1980s into a genuine competitor on quality, technology, and design against both Toyota and Honda.
All three maintain luxury divisions: Hyundai has Genesis, Toyota has Lexus, and Honda has Acura.
Is Hyundai the Same Company as Kia?
No. Hyundai and Kia are separate companies that operate under Hyundai Motor Group as sister brands, not as the same business.
Hyundai Motor Company owns approximately 33.88% of Kia’s shares, making it the largest shareholder. But Kia is publicly traded and managed independently.
Both brands share engineering platforms and R&D resources, but produce entirely different vehicle lineups with separate designs and dealer networks.
What Is Next for Hyundai?
Hyundai is one of the most aggressive automakers globally in the EV transition.
The Georgia Metaplant is being expanded to add Kia and Genesis electric models alongside current Hyundai production.
Hyundai Motor Group has committed $21 billion in US investment between 2025 and 2028, a significant share of which targets electric vehicle manufacturing capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Who Makes Hyundai
Is Hyundai a Korean or Japanese company?
Hyundai is South Korean, founded in Seoul in 1967. It has no Japanese ownership and competes directly against Toyota, Honda, and Nissan.
Is Hyundai made in the USA?
Yes. The Santa Fe, Tucson, and Elantra are assembled in Montgomery, Alabama. The Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9 are built at the Georgia Metaplant in Ellabell.
Does Hyundai own Kia?
Hyundai Motor Company holds approximately 33.88% of Kia’s shares and is Kia’s largest shareholder. Both are part of Hyundai Motor Group, but each brand operates independently with its own management and lineup.
When did Hyundai first come to the United States?
Hyundai entered the US market on February 20, 1986, with the Excel. It sold 168,882 vehicles in its first year, setting a record for first-year US sales by a new import brand.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.