Not a One-Sided Event but a Town Hall Meeting... Jeong Eui-seon Breaks the New Year's Gathering Format

Chairman Chung Eui-sun Proposes Town Hall Meeting Instead of New Year's Ceremony
First Held at Namyang Research Center, R&D Hub, Instead of Headquarters
"Trust Through Challenge and Leap Through Change" Presented

Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun is delivering a New Year's message about the management strategy and direction for the new year at the New Year's meeting held on the 3rd at Hyundai-Kia Namyang Research Center in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, said on the 3rd, "This year, we aim to make it a year of ‘trust through challenge, leap through change’ to overcome difficult circumstances and move forward together toward a better future."

On the same day, Chairman Chung held a New Year's meeting in a town hall format at Hyundai Motor and Kia’s Namyang Research Center and made this request. Unlike the rigid opening ceremony where management unilaterally conveys their thoughts, this was the first time to freely exchange opinions with employees.

It is said that Chairman Chung himself proposed this. The event was attended by about 600 employees, including Chairman Chung, Hyundai Motor President Jang Jae-hoon, Kia President Song Ho-sung, Hyundai Motor Group R&D Division President Park Jung-guk, and Vehicle Software Head Song Chang-hyun. Employees who could not attend in person also joined via YouTube and other platforms. Since the theme was challenge and change, the new year message was also delivered in a new place and in a different format, reflecting the same context.

Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun is revealing the New Year's management strategy and direction together with the heads of affiliates at the New Year's meeting held on the 3rd at Hyundai-Kia Namyang Research Center in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province. From the left, Song Chang-hyun, Head of TasS Division and President in charge of Vehicle SW, Park Jung-guk, President of R&D Division, Chairman Chung Eui-sun, Jang Jae-hoon, President of Hyundai Motor Company, and Song Ho-sung, President of Kia.
Hwaseong ? Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

He encouraged overcoming the challenging business environment this year as well. He emphasized the need to take on challenges in various areas such as electrification, software, and new businesses. Chairman Chung said, "To become a first mover leading the market, we will not hesitate to invest in recruiting the best talent and developing technology."

Referring to the positive evaluations of last year’s dedicated electric vehicles both domestically and internationally, he said, "This year, we will develop and supply even more advanced vehicles to solidify our global electric vehicle leadership and continue the transition to an electrified system." He added, "We must transform the company’s overall systems, including R&D, to be software-centered. Only then can we secure the capability to create SDVs (Software-Defined Vehicles) and stay ahead in global competition."

Regarding new businesses, he pointed out autonomous driving, future mobility, robotics, energy, and new materials as key areas. For autonomous driving, they plan to commercialize Level 3 highway autonomous driving in Korea and Level 4 robo-taxi technology in North America this year. Projects such as Purpose-Built Vehicles (PBV) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), which have been underway, are expected to yield tangible results.

He also presented concrete plans for the energy business. Chairman Chung said, "We will pursue expansion into new energy business areas such as Small Modular Reactors (SMR), accelerate the development of safer ultra-high-strength steel products, and foster smart logistics solutions to continuously secure future growth engines for the group."

He emphasized trust as well. He encouraged gaining customer trust by focusing on quality and safety, and becoming a member of society that earns social trust for a sustainable future. He also stressed the importance of trust among colleagues in the workplace.

Regarding organizational management, he highlighted the need for change as a major topic. Chairman Chung said, "Just as stagnant water becomes foul, a culture that stops changing is easily polluted and broken. To take a step forward toward the future, we will create a culture where new attempts can be made without fear of results."

He continued, "We must boldly stop meaningless tasks that proceed out of inertia and efficiently utilize manpower and time through selection and concentration. I hope all employees review their work and eliminate unnecessary formalities that waste precious time and energy, making smart and flexible work methods a daily habit."

Chairman Chung said, "Starting with myself and the management team, we will lead by example. We will continue personnel changes and institutional improvements to respect diversity and establish a proactive and dynamic organizational culture, boldly eliminating past shortcomings."

After the New Year's meeting, Chairman Chung had lunch with employees at the cafeteria inside the Namyang Research Center and engaged in conversations on various topics.