First Town Hall Meeting with Employees Since Taking Office on the 20th
Over 800 Participants Including Hyundai Namyang Research Center Staff
Live Online Broadcast to Employees Worldwide
President Munoz Emphasizes Quality, Safety, and Customer First
"You have to work two to three times harder than your competitors."
Jose Munoz, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, emphasized strengthening work engagement during his first meeting with employees since taking office on the 20th. He stressed that adapting to the rapidly changing automotive market environment, including the U.S. tariff bomb, and staying ahead of competitors requires investing more time and energy.
At the town hall meeting held at Hyundai Motor's Namyang Research Center in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, Munoz prioritized customer value and made these remarks. He also introduced the ‘3H (Humble, Hungry, Hard working)’ approach, emphasizing humility, passion, and diligence.
Jose Munoz, President of Hyundai Motor Company, is delivering key messages to employees at the Town Hall meeting held on the 20th at Hyundai Motor Namyang Research Center. Photo by Hyundai Motor Company
He shared his reflections from the first two months since his appointment and outlined Hyundai Motor’s management strategy, future vision, and direction. The key points Munoz emphasized were top-level technology, quality, and customer-oriented value. Choosing the Namyang Research Center, the cradle of Hyundai’s research and development (R&D), for his first meeting with employees was also to highlight the importance of technology and quality.
Munoz stated, "We must continuously present high-quality vehicles with beautiful designs that incorporate the technology customers desire," and stressed, "We should not release products to the market that are not perfect." He added, "Quality and safety have been Hyundai’s top priorities from the past to the present and will remain so in the future," and "We must strive to maximize customer value based on the highest quality."
The core goals Hyundai must achieve include ▲top-level technology, quality, and design ▲differentiated strategies tailored to market needs ▲and providing customer-oriented services.
Regarding market changes in electric vehicle demand and Hyundai’s strategy, he called for flexible responses through a diverse eco-friendly vehicle portfolio. He said, "Since the automotive industry is based on consumer demand, we will respond flexibly according to customer needs," and emphasized, "We plan to continuously invest in a diverse portfolio including pure electric vehicles (EV), hybrids (HEV), plug-in hybrids (PHEV), and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV)."
Employees from not only the Namyang Research Center but also from Yangjae, Pangyo, and Uiwang attended the event. More than 15,000 global employees from overseas bases such as China, India, and Indonesia watched together via online live streaming. Munoz engaged in a Q&A session with employees in a relaxed atmosphere. The town hall meeting lasted about an hour.
Jose Munoz, President of Hyundai Motor Company, is seen answering questions at the town hall meeting held at Hyundai Motor Namyang Research Center on the 20th. Photo by Hyundai Motor Company
Munoz said, "I feel great pride in Hyundai’s strength and potential spreading worldwide," and "It is an honor as CEO to be able to share Hyundai’s growth journey with customers, employees, and partners." He encouraged employees, saying, "Let’s always challenge new opportunities and collaborate to achieve results that impress our customers."
The Namyang Research Center, where the town hall meeting was held, celebrated its 30th anniversary this year since its establishment in 1996. It was established on a site of 3.47 million square meters (about 1.05 million pyeong) and is designed as a comprehensive technology research center equipped with foundational research facilities including technology development, design, engineering, testing, and evaluation. Along with global technology research centers in the U.S., Europe, India, and China, it leads Hyundai’s new car and new technology research and technological advancement.
Jose Munoz, President of Hyundai Motor Company, changing into a research center jacket gifted by employees during a town hall meeting held at Hyundai Motor Namyang Research Center on the 20th. Photo by Hyundai Motor Company
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