Hyundai Motor Company was founded on 29 December 1967 by Chung Ju‑yung in Seoul, South Korea, as part of the nation’s rapid industrialization. It began by assembling Ford Cortina models under license before launching its first homegrown car, the Pony, in 1975. Today, Hyundai operates eleven manufacturing plants in nine countries and employs over 120,000 people worldwide. Key current models include the Santa Fe and Tucson SUVs, Sonata and Elantra sedans, and the Ioniq electric lineup. In 2024, Hyundai sold more than 4 million vehicles globally, strengthening its position as one of the world’s largest automakers. The company invests heavily in electrification, autonomous driving and hydrogen fuel‑cell technologies through its “Strategy 2025” roadmap.