Hyundai Motor and Kia to Use Google Maps in Overseas New Cars

Google Maps will be integrated into new Hyundai Motor, Kia, and Genesis vehicles launched overseas from now on.

Hyundai Motor Group and Google announced on the 12th that they have agreed to collaborate to improve the navigation user experience. On the previous day, Song Chang-hyun, Head of Hyundai Motor Group AVP Division, and Jorgen Berens, Vice President of Google Maps Automotive, along with other executives from both companies, met in Seoul to discuss specific plans. Initially, the collaboration will target Kia new vehicles launched in North America, including the United States and Canada, and will gradually expand worldwide.

Hyundai Motor Group has primarily utilized map information from HERE Technologies and TomTom for vehicles launched in overseas markets such as North America. These two companies are map and location-based data service providers based in Europe, ranking first and second in global market share. With the addition of Google, they are considered major suppliers of vehicle map information. Although Google Maps is a latecomer, it has the advantage of integrating vast search data.

Song Chang-hyun, Head of AVP Division at Hyundai Motor Group, and Google Maps executives are taking a commemorative photo after discussing cooperation plans in Seoul on the 11th. Photo by Hyundai Motor Company

Hyundai Motor Group's decision to collaborate with Google is interpreted as a judgment that Google Maps has better universality in key markets. In regions like North America and Europe, many drivers use navigation linked with smartphones, through platforms such as Google Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Once Google Maps is embedded in Hyundai and Kia vehicles, drivers will be able to access maps with the latest information directly from the vehicle without needing to connect a smartphone. Hyundai Motor Group is also cooperating in various fields recently, including supplying specially made robo-taxis to Waymo, Google's autonomous driving subsidiary.

Head Song said, "Collaboration with Google, which helps find a wealth of useful information worldwide, will be an opportunity for Hyundai Motor Group to expand the application of technology in the mobility market and provide greater value to customers." Vice President Berens said, "By integrating extensive location information into Hyundai Motor Group vehicles, we will provide drivers with the information they need," adding, "We look forward to bringing more innovation to future vehicles through cooperation with Hyundai Motor Group."