Hyundai Motor Group Goes All Out to Secure Busan Hosting During Expo Inspection Period

Hyundai Motor Group announced on the 31st that it will make an all-out effort to support Busan's bid during the visit of the International Bureau of Expositions (BIE) inspection team, through various venues including Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square, major downtown areas, and the Seoul Mobility Show.

During the BIE inspection period from April 2 to 7, Hyundai Motor Group plans to unite its capabilities to showcase the competitiveness of Korea and Busan to the inspection team. Additionally, the group will carry out various activities to raise nationwide enthusiasm for the bid.

First, Hyundai Motor Group is participating in the Busan Expo bid support event "Shining at Gwanghwa" held at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul from March 30 to April 3. At this event, prepared in cooperation with the government, local governments, and the business community, Hyundai Motor Group has set up a 135㎡ (approximately 40 pyeong) exhibition hall closest to Gwanghwamun and is displaying the EV9, the first domestically produced large electric SUV model.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo (fourth from the left) and Kia President Song Ho-sung (fifth from the left) at the Hyundai Motor Group exhibition hall during the 'Shining at Gwanghwa' event held on the 30th at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul to support the bid for the Busan Expo. Officials from the Busan Expo Bid Committee are taking a commemorative photo.
[Photo by Hyundai Motor Group]

Inside the exhibition hall, Hyundai Motor Group introduces the vision of the Busan Expo under the theme "The Great Transformation of the World, A Voyage Toward a Better Future" in the sustainability zone. This aims to broaden visitors' understanding and empathy for the Busan Expo. Furthermore, the group conveys its commitment to a sustainable future for humanity and the planet through activities such as marine ecosystem protection and tidal flat vegetation restoration, as well as the use of 10 eco-friendly and recycled materials applied to the EV9.

On the exterior of the exhibition hall, Hyundai Motor Group wrapped the building with the phrase "BUSAN is Ready! EXPO 2030 BUSAN, KOREA" and the official logo of the 2030 Busan World Expo, symbolizing Busan's readiness to host the World Expo. A global promotional video for the Busan Expo is screened on the front LED screen of the exhibition hall. The video features Busan citizens speaking in the languages of 15 BIE member countries, highlighting Busan's charm and strengths as a candidate city for the World Expo.

In addition, Hyundai Motor Group has installed outdoor promotional materials supporting the "2030 Busan Expo bid" at its group headquarters. Giant banners are displayed on the exterior walls of the Hyundai Motor Southern Hi-Tech Center located in Daebang-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, near the heavily trafficked Olympic-daero, and on the Hyundai Card Yeouido Headquarters Building 2, situated near areas dense with financial and business facilities.

At the "2023 Seoul Mobility Show," held until April 9, Hyundai Motor Group also wrapped the exterior of the Hyundai booth with messages supporting the Busan Expo bid. Inside the booth, a large LED screen plays a promotional video for the Busan Expo featuring direct participation from Busan citizens. To facilitate the smooth movement of the inspection team, Hyundai Motor Group is providing a total of 12 vehicles, including eight Genesis G80 electric cars and four Universe buses.

A Hyundai Motor Group official stated, "We will focus all our efforts on conveying Korea's determination to host the Expo and generating nationwide interest in the Busan Expo during the critical inspection period, which is a turning point in the bidding process."

The BIE inspection team conducts an in-depth evaluation of the candidate country's bidding capabilities and preparation levels and prepares an inspection report. This report is circulated to all 171 BIE member countries and serves as the basis for the host country vote held in November. Among various evaluation criteria, the national enthusiasm and support for the bid are known to carry significant weight.