Journalist
Oh Joo-seok
farbrother@ajunews.com
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Hyundai Motor posts record first-quarter revenue as profit drops on tariffs, higher costs Hyundai Motor Co. said geopolitical uncertainty and rising costs weighed on its first-quarter results, even as sales in its biggest export market, the United States, held up. The automaker pointed to tariffs, higher raw material prices and currency moves as key drags, and said it plans to lean more on hybrids and other eco-friendly models to regain momentum. In a preliminary earnings filing on Wednesday, Hyundai said first-quarter operating profit on a consolidated basis fell 30.8% from a year earlier to 2.5147 trillion won. Revenue rose 3.4% to 45.9389 trillion won, the highest ever for a first quarter. While sales grew, profitability weakened. Hyundai said the continued burden of a 15% tariff, along with a weaker exchange rate tied to geopolitical risks and higher raw material prices, hit operating profit. With multiple cost pressures at once, operating profit fell by more than 1 trillion won from a year earlier. Lee Seung-jo, head of Hyundai’s planning and finance division, said raw material prices have surged since late last year, creating about a 200 billion won burden on first-quarter results. He said similar cost pressure could continue in the second quarter and that the company is preparing cost-cutting measures. Hyundai sold 976,219 vehicles worldwide in the first quarter, down 2.5% from a year earlier. The company attributed the decline to heightened geopolitical uncertainty that it said drove global auto demand down 7.2%. In the United States, Hyundai sold 243,572 vehicles, up 0.3% from a year earlier. Total overseas sales fell 2.1% to 817,153 vehicles. Domestic sales dropped 4.4% to 159,066 vehicles, which Hyundai said reflected demand tied to waiting lists for new models and production disruptions after a fire at its parts plant in Daejeon affected some lines. Hyundai said sales of electric and hybrid models were strong. The share of eco-friendly vehicles and hybrids in global sales rose to quarterly highs of 24.9% and 17.8%, respectively, as consumer demand shifted toward hybrids amid a slowdown in electric-vehicle growth. Looking ahead, Hyundai said it will continue to improve its product mix by focusing on higher value-added models such as hybrids. It plans to expand its lineup, including a refreshed Grandeur, and to diversify sales channels by strengthening its push in China and other emerging markets. Hyundai also said it will keep expanding its electrified lineup, including new Ioniq models, range-extended electric vehicles and sedans. It plans to deploy its software-defined vehicle (SDV) “face car,” a test vehicle, on some roads starting in the second half of this year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 18:06:05 -
Hyundai Rotem Enters Vietnam Rail Market With Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line 2 Deal Hyundai Rotem said it signed a contract on April 23 (local time) with Vietnam’s THACO Group for the Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line 2 project, marking its first entry into Vietnam’s rail market. The deal is worth about 491 billion won. Metro Line 2 is a major rail infrastructure project being developed with a target opening in 2030. The line is planned to span 64 kilometers with 36 stations. Construction began in January, and the project is to be built in three phases. THACO Group, one of Vietnam’s leading conglomerates, is overseeing the Line 2 buildout. Hyundai Rotem will supply driverless electric multiple units for the line. Hyundai Rotem also signed a memorandum of understanding with THACO Group to supply the line’s signaling system, its first overseas supply of an unmanned driving signaling system. The company said it has worked to expand into Vietnam’s rail business since signing a localization agreement last year with THACO Group covering urban rail and high-speed rail rolling stock. Hyundai Rotem said the latest order provides a foothold for broader expansion and could support bids for large projects expected to be tendered, including the North-South high-speed rail project. The North-South high-speed rail project is estimated to total about 100 trillion won, making it Vietnam’s largest infrastructure development to date. "Entering Vietnam’s rail market for the first time, we have broadened our business base and built a meaningful foundation for local cooperation," a Hyundai Rotem official said. "We will work to establish ourselves as a partner contributing to the growth of Vietnam’s rail industry, seek new business opportunities, and help create a solid foundation for the development of Korea’s rail industry as well." Hyundai Rotem said it is also working with more than 500 partner companies to develop overseas markets and support joint expansion, including through a shared-growth fund, joint research and development, and other technical assistance.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 16:58:16 -
Hyundai Motor Says Raw Material Price Surge Cut Q1 Profit by 200 Billion Won Lee Seung-jo, head of planning and finance at Hyundai Motor Co., said April 23 during a question-and-answer session after the company’s first-quarter earnings release that a sharp rise in raw material prices since late last year reduced first-quarter results by about 200 billion won. He said Hyundai expects the impact of higher material costs in the second quarter to be similar to the first quarter and is preparing cost-cutting measures to offset it. 2026-04-23 14:55:14 -
Hyundai Motor says supplier fire in Daejeon disrupts some production, seeks alternatives Hyundai Motor Co. said Thursday that a fire at an engine valve parts supplier in Daejeon has caused disruptions to some production. Speaking on a conference call after releasing first-quarter results, the company said it is conducting internal tests to qualify replacement parts and expects operations to gradually normalize starting in April. Hyundai Motor said it will also seek alternative parts in global markets and aims to normalize production through the second half of this year. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 14:48:13
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Hyundai Motor posts record Q1 revenue of 45.9 trillion won; operating profit falls to 2.51 trillion Hyundai Motor posted weak first-quarter results as U.S. auto tariffs in its largest export market and rising raw material costs weighed on earnings. Hyundai Motor said in a regulatory filing on the 23rd that its first-quarter operating profit on a consolidated basis was provisionally tallied at 2.5147 trillion won, down 30.8% from a year earlier. Revenue rose 3.4% to 45.9389 trillion won, the highest ever for a first quarter. Net profit fell 23.6% to 2.5849 trillion won. Operating margin was 5.5%. The company said operating profit fell by more than 1 trillion won from the same period last year due to U.S. auto tariffs, higher warranty provisions tied to a weaker exchange rate, and softer global demand linked to the Iran war, among other factors. “Amid a global industrial environment with growing uncertainty, difficult market conditions are continuing, including a 7.2% year-on-year decline in demand for the global auto industry,” a Hyundai Motor official said. “However, Hyundai Motor is maintaining a steady sales trend compared with the decline in overall demand by expanding sales of high value-added models such as hybrids.” Hyundai Motor sold 976,219 vehicles worldwide in the January-March 2026 period, down 2.5% from a year earlier. Domestic sales fell 4.4% to 159,066 vehicles, which the company attributed to demand tied to waiting lists for new models. Hyundai Motor said it plans to roll out a large number of new vehicles this year, starting with a facelifted Grandeur. Overseas sales slipped 2.1% to 817,153 vehicles, despite a 0.3% rise in the key U.S. market to 243,572, as overall market conditions deteriorated. Global sales of eco-friendly vehicles, including commercial models, rose 14.2% to 242,612 units in the first quarter, driven by higher EV sales and a strengthened hybrid lineup. EV sales totaled 58,788 units and hybrid sales 173,977. Hyundai Motor said it expects an increasingly hard-to-forecast business environment to persist due to greater macroeconomic uncertainty, rising geopolitical risks and deepening trade conflicts between countries. To navigate those conditions, the company said it will seek new growth momentum centered on major new models launching this year. It plans to pursue both higher sales and improved profitability through key new-model lineups and upgraded versions that bolster brand competitiveness, while also advancing electrification, expanding high value-added models and pursuing region-specific strategies. Under the value-up program announced last year, Hyundai Motor said it will pay a quarterly dividend of 2,500 won, the same as the dividend paid in the year-earlier quarter. “Despite changes in the macro business environment, Hyundai Motor will continue striving to faithfully implement the shareholder return policy it has promised in order to maximize shareholder value,” the official said. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 14:23:05 -
Hyundai Glovis Q1 2026 Operating Profit Rises 3.9% to 521.5 Billion Won Hyundai Glovis said Wednesday that its first-quarter 2026 operating profit rose 3.9% from a year earlier to 521.5 billion won on a consolidated basis. Revenue increased 8.2% to 7.8127 trillion won, and the operating margin was 6.7%. By business, the logistics segment posted revenue of 2.4902 trillion won and operating profit of 164.0 billion won. Revenue rose 1.3% as domestic shipments of electric vehicles and large models increased, but operating profit fell 17.3% as weaker container freight rates weighed on global logistics growth. In shipping, revenue climbed 15.5% to 1.4522 trillion won and operating profit jumped 40.5% to 192.6 billion won. The company cited an increase in high-freight, non-affiliate volumes, including from Chinese local automakers, and continued cost improvements from more efficient fleet operations. The company said concerns tied to Middle East risks, including potential volume declines and one-off costs from a strait closure, were tempered by growth in non-affiliate volumes such as Chinese vehicle export shipments. Hyundai Glovis said it expects worries over car-carrier volumes from Middle East risks to remain limited given the trend in China-led export growth. In distribution, revenue rose 10.3% to 3.8703 trillion won, while operating profit slipped 1.0% to 164.9 billion won. The company attributed growth to expanded supply volumes of completely knocked down, or CKD, kits to technical-support assembly plants in emerging markets. A Hyundai Glovis official said uncertainty in the global trade environment persisted in the first quarter, but stable operations helped the company post results that exceeded market concerns across all business segments.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 13:15:44 -
Kia Unveils Vision Meta Turismo at Milan Design Week Kia said Thursday it showcased its “Opposites United” design philosophy and its latest creative direction at the 2026 Milan Design Week, which opened April 20 in Italy. Now in its 64th year, Milan Design Week is a leading global design event spanning architecture, fashion, automobiles and IT, offering a snapshot of cultural and design trends. Kia staged two exhibitions under the theme “resonance of opposing concepts,” pairing an artwork show focused on inward reflection with an EV concept-car display centered on outward projection. The artwork exhibition, “Journey of Reflection,” featured three spaces with direct participation by Kia designers. The “Cultural Pioneer” space used shifting flows of light to symbolize how diverse ideas come together to form and advance a culture. The “Creative Adventurer” space was designed to react and change with visitors’ footsteps, underscoring the value of challenges experienced through bold action. The “Relentless Innovator” space used a calm setting defined by ceiling light and balance to convey that tranquility can be an inner pause before a bigger leap forward. The EV concept-car exhibition, “Journey of Projection,” was held at the Salone dei Tessuti complex cultural venue. Kia presented six EV concept vehicles, including the Vision Meta Turismo, unveiled for the first time on the global stage, and early concept models tied to the development of the EV2, EV3, EV4, EV5 and EV9. First revealed at Kia’s 80th anniversary event late last year, the Vision Meta Turismo features geometric forms and a refined silhouette, which the company said points to its future mobility vision. “‘Resonance of opposing concepts’ is more than an exhibition theme — it is a milestone in our journey,” said Karim Habib, Kia’s vice president in charge of global design. “It reflects our promise to build a better future through curiosity and continuous innovation.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 09:50:06 -
Hyundai Casper Electric Tops Auto Bild’s Small EV Comparison in Germany Hyundai Motor said on 23 that its Casper Electric (Inster) won a small electric vehicle comparison test by Germany’s automotive magazine Auto Bild, finishing first in every category. Auto Bild scored the vehicles on a 800-point system across seven areas: body, convenience, powertrain, driving performance, connectivity, environmental impact and cost efficiency. The Casper Electric led all seven categories and scored 558 points, well ahead of the BYD Dolphin Surf (503) and the Citroen e-C3 (501). Auto Bild cited the Casper Electric’s strong power-consumption efficiency as a key advantage in the powertrain category. In Auto Bild’s real-world driving test, the Casper Electric posted an average measured efficiency of 6.71 kilometers per kilowatt-hour, about 20% to 30% higher than the e-C3 (5.49 km/kWh) and Dolphin Surf (5.10 km/kWh). Based on that measured consumption, its calculated real-world range was 308 kilometers, compared with 241 kilometers for the e-C3 and 253 kilometers for the Dolphin Surf. Hyundai also pointed to space use as a differentiator. In the body category’s versatility assessment, the Casper Electric scored 8 points, while the two rivals each scored 2. Auto Bild credited features including a sliding second-row seat and a fully folding front passenger seat, which allow the cabin to be reconfigured for passengers or cargo. The Casper Electric’s braking distance from 100 kph to a stop was 35.8 meters, up to about 3 meters shorter than competing models, Hyundai said. Combined with precise steering, it earned the top score in the driving-performance category. Hyundai said the Casper Electric sold 9,447 units in Europe’s A-segment EV market in the first quarter, up 66% from a year earlier, keeping it among the segment’s leaders. “It is meaningful that the model not only ranked first overall, but also placed first in every category,” a Hyundai Motor official said. The Casper Electric has also won several awards, including the 2026 U.K. TopGear Awards city car of the year, the 2025 World Car Awards world electric vehicle of the year, the 2025 Germany Golden Steering Wheel award for best car under 25,000 euros, and the 2025 U.K. What Car? Awards best small electric city car.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 09:16:56 -
Tata Daewoo Mobility Unveils Hi-Ssen Medium-Duty Truck to Target Urban Logistics Niche 타타대우모빌리티가 중형 상용 트럭 신차를 투입하며 도심형 물류 시장 공략에 나섰다. 대형 모델보다 가격 부담을 낮추면서도 적재 성능과 기동성을 함께 확보해 실수요를 겨냥했다. 타타대우모빌리티는 22일 전북 군산에서 신차 발표회를 열고 중형 트럭 하이쎈을 공개했다. 2024년 선보인 전기 중형 트럭 기쎈에 이어 나온 하이쎈은 시장에서 드문 중형급 모델로, 기존 준중형·대형 라인업이 충분히 포섭하지 못한 ‘틈새 시장’을 겨냥했다. 준중형 트럭 플랫폼을 활용하면서도 5t 규모의 적재 중량을 갖췄다. 임중우 타타대우모빌리티 상품기획팀장(상무)은 “중형 시장에서 보조축 미장착 수요가 전체의 32%에 달한다”며 “중단거리 수송과 도심 작업형 특장차에 적합한 성능과 가격을 구현하는 데 개발 철학을 뒀다”고 말했다. 내연기관 트럭인 하이쎈은 중형 최적화에 초점을 맞춘 전략 모델이다. 회사는 전통적인 대형 트럭 이미지보다 실용성을 강조하며 최고 효율(H), 높은(H) 기동력, 다양한(H) 특장을 내세운 ‘3-HIGH’ 콘셉트를 적용했다고 설명했다. 중형급 대비 325mm 낮춘 컴팩트한 캡을 적용해 도심 운행에 맞췄고, 환경차·냉동탑차·덤프 등 특장차 확장성을 고려한 구조 설계를 반영했다. 하이쎈은 중형급 최초로 LED 헤드램프를 기본 적용했다. 실내는 기쎈의 형태를 계승해 승용차 수준의 환경을 구현했다고 회사는 밝혔다. 전축에는 TLS 서스펜션을 적용해 프레임 강도를 확보하는 동시에 경량화 설계로 주행 안정성과 연비 효율을 높였다고 설명했다. 좁은 도심과 골목길, 특장 작업 환경에서의 기동성도 고려했다. 타타대우모빌리티는 하이쎈 출시로 대형 트럭 ‘맥쎈’, 중형 트럭 ‘구쎈’, 준중형 트럭 ‘더쎈’으로 이어지는 쎈(XEN) 라인업을 구축해 전 세그먼트를 아우르는 체계를 완성했다고 밝혔다. 회사는 차세대 수소내연기관(H₂ICE)과 자율주행 기술 개발도 병행하며 친환경·스마트 모빌리티 기업으로의 전환을 추진하고 있다고 덧붙였다. 이어진 타타대우모빌리티 군산 공장 견학에선 하이쎈과 더쎈 생산을 담당하는 LD숍을 찾았다. 이곳에서는 캡과 샤시 조립부터 최종 품질 검사까지 완성차 생산의 마지막 단계를 수행한다. 시간당 약 1.25대 수준의 생산 능력을 갖췄다. LD 공정은 의장 라인과 샤시 라인을 중심으로 구성되며 총 15개 공정을 통해 차량이 완성된다. 의장 라인과 샤시 라인은 각각 6개 공정으로 이뤄진다. 발표 이후에는 시험 양산 중인 전기 중형차 ‘기쎈’에 대한 질의가 이어졌다. 회사는 기쎈의 양산 준비는 마친 상태라고 설명했지만, 상용 트럭 보조금 정책의 직접적인 영향을 받고 있다고 밝혔다. 김태성 타타대우모빌리티 사장은 “정부와 지자체가 지급하는 보조금이 차량 규격 대비 낮아 생산 금액을 맞추기 어렵다”면서도 “올해 말 생산 라인을 가동해 내년에 판매하고, 현재 무공해차 판정을 받지 못한 수소 내연기차 또한 국제 규격에 맞춰 (정부의) 긍정적인 반응을 이끌어 내겠다”고 말했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 09:09:25 -
Hyundai Motor launches Top Eleven mobile game event, Hyundai Next Cup Tour Hyundai Motor said Wednesday it is running a brand-specific event, the “Hyundai Next Cup Tour,” in the mobile soccer manager game “Top Eleven.” Top Eleven is a soccer management simulation in which players act as a coach, run their own club and develop tactics to build a team. The event runs from Wednesday through May 2 and features missions tied to 10 countries, including Indonesia, Germany and Brazil, selected based on Hyundai Motor’s key sales markets and Top Eleven’s major user countries. Players progress through country-by-country stages, each set as a mission, where they can view Hyundai Motor vehicles representing each country and their features while taking on tactical challenges against teams with different strategies and play styles. In the Germany stage, for example, the Ioniq 9 appears, and its roomy interior is reimagined in-game as an ability called “space creation,” linked to a mission that requires coordinated movement and tactical structure to generate more scoring chances. Players who win at each stage can receive limited-edition in-game items, including Hyundai Motor jerseys and emblems. Hyundai Motor said it expects the event to extend its soccer heritage through an immersive gaming experience and to integrate its brand and products naturally into the game’s story. “Hyundai Motor has communicated with fans worldwide through soccer for more than 25 years, and through the Hyundai Next Cup Tour event we aim to expand soccer’s energy and sense of being on site into the digital environment,” said Ji Seongwon, vice president and head of Hyundai Motor’s Brand Marketing Division.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 08:54:28