Jeong Eui-sun and Akio Reunite After a Month... "Strengthening Korea-Japan Mobility Cooperation System" (Comprehensive)

Hyundai's Chung Euisun and Toyota's Toyoda Attend WRC Event Together
Emphasize Cooperation on Hydrogen Infrastructure Expansion
Hyundai Driver and Toyota Manufacturer Win
"Exchange Through Motorsports... Continuing Technological Advancement Through Competition"

The heads of the Korean and Japanese automotive groups, who dominate the global car market, emphasized strengthening Korea-Japan mobility cooperation, including hydrogen infrastructure. At the 2024 World Rally Championship (WRC) awards ceremony, which attracted over 30,000 spectators worldwide, the two leaders met again after about a month and highlighted development through competition and harmony.

At the 2024 WRC awards ceremony held on the 24th (local time) in Nagoya, Japan, Toyota won the manufacturers' category, and Hyundai won the drivers' category. The competition, featuring three manufacturers including Hyundai, Toyota, and Ford, was essentially a Korea-Japan showdown. Chairman Chung and Chairman Toyoda attended the ceremony together, adding weight to the event that concluded the rally season of the past year.

On the 24th, at the WRC event held at Toyota Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, Akio Toyota, Chairman of Toyota Group (left in the photo), and Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, are taking a commemorative photo. Provided by Hyundai Motor Company

Chung Euisun and Akio Toyoda Meet for the Third Time... Expectations for Hydrogen Infrastructure Cooperation

That morning, the two chairmen toured the service park center where the Toyota Gazoo Racing Team rally cars were being repaired. Toyota introduced a plan to use electricity generated by hydrogen power generators at this center. Chairman Chung showed interest in this hydrogen power system and had a brief conversation with Chairman Toyoda.

Meeting with domestic reporters at the event, Chairman Toyoda said, "I think there will be cooperation with Hyundai in related fields such as hydrogen infrastructure," adding, "Personally, I also drive hydrogen engine racing cars in endurance races. I hope hydrogen will become the vehicle that shapes the future." Chairman Chung also expressed the possibility of cooperation in the hydrogen infrastructure sector at the awards ceremony, saying, "We will discuss hydrogen well and try to cooperate together."

On the 24th, at the WRC event held at Toyota Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, Akio Toyota Group Chairman (left in the photo) and Chung Eui-sun Hyundai Motor Group Chairman visited the Toyota Gazoo Racing Team Service Park and had a conversation. Photo by Toyota Joint Press Corps

This meeting between the two leaders marks their third encounter, including this event. Earlier this year, Chairman Chung visited Japan and met Chairman Toyoda, where the idea of a joint motorsports event was proposed. This idea was realized in late October in Yongin, Korea, about a month before the final WRC rally. At last month's event, the highlight was the rally car driven by Chairman Toyoda with Chairman Chung in the passenger seat performing drifts on the circuit.

The two leaders, who rank first and third in the global automotive industry, emphasized competition and harmony through the international motorsports event WRC. Although competition and harmony are opposing concepts, the essence of all sports is ultimately harmony. The spirit of challenge through competition and the rivalry structure serve as opportunities to elevate each other's capabilities. Chairman Toyoda emphasized, "Through motorsports, both companies will strive for victory and hone their technologies to create 'cars that everyone wants to buy' together."

This sportsmanship also applies to business. Hyundai and Toyota are competing head-to-head in major global car markets such as North America, India, and the Middle East. Due to the global 'electric vehicle chasm' phenomenon (a temporary stagnation before mass adoption), Toyota and Hyundai, which possess hybrid technology, have begun to attract attention in the market. The industry anticipates a two-strong structure between Toyota and Hyundai in the global market going forward.

Hyundai Driver, Toyota Manufacturer Win

In this year's WRC season, Hyundai and Toyota shared the victories amicably. Hyundai won the drivers' category, while Toyota took the manufacturers' category. This is the first time Hyundai has won the drivers' category, and Toyota achieved its fourth consecutive manufacturers' title.

The outcome of the competition was decided in the final 17th round of the Japan rally when Ott T?nak of the Hyundai World Rally Team dropped out midway due to vehicle damage. Ultimately, with T?nak leaving the rally while leading, Thierry Neuville of the Hyundai World Rally Team won the overall drivers' championship with 242 points. In the manufacturers' category, Toyota Gazoo Racing Team scored 561 points, narrowly overtaking Hyundai by just 3 points.

Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun is taking a commemorative photo with driver Thierry Neuville (front row right on the car), who won the driver’s championship after the WRC Japan Rally on the 24th, along with executives and employees. Photo by Hyundai Motor Company

On the 24th, Akio Toyoda, Chairman, is seen celebrating after confirming the manufacturer's victory at the 2024 WRC awards ceremony held at Toyota Stadium in Japan. Photo by Toyota Joint Press Corps

At the 2024 season WRC overall awards ceremony, Chairman Chung and Chairman Toyoda appeared to enjoy the event as a festival. When Toyota was announced as the manufacturers' winner, Chairman Toyoda clapped and rejoiced like a child, and after the drivers' awards ceremony, Chairman Chung shared his joy by taking commemorative photos with the drivers.

Chairman Toyoda said, "The winning drivers and teams created an inspiring story for us," adding, "I think many people will say, 'Rally is really fun' after this competition." Chairman Chung, who watched the event, said, "Regardless of the outcome, I am proud of the Namyang researchers (for developing good cars well)," and added, "There was a regrettable accident recently in Ulsan, and I feel very sorry for the deceased and their families. We will strive to do better."