Hyundai, Kia on a roll with awards as expansion plans continue apace

Industry

Published: 02 Apr. 2024, 16:47

Hyundai, Kia on a roll with awards as expansion plans continue apace

Kia EV9 [KIA]

With the Kia EV9 winning the World Car of the Year award last week, the third consecutive title for Hyundai Motor and Kia, global recognition for the auto group continues to roll in.

The two largest Korean carmakers have claimed the top prize a total of four times over the past decade to extend their lead as the most successful motor group ahead of Jaguar Land Rover, which claimed the title twice during the same period.

Hyundai's Ioniq 6 won in 2023 and the Ioniq in 2022. Kia's Telluride SUV won it in 2020.

World Car of the Year, created in 2004, is considered one of the three most prestigious automobile titles alongside North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year — known as the NACTOY — and European Car of the Year (COTY).

Hyundai's Ioniq 6 EV [HYUNDAI MOTOR]

In the wider world of automotive laurels, Hyundai Motor and Kia have won a total of 66 prizes from six major auto awards: the WCTOY, NACTOY and COTY as well as U.K. Car of the Year, German Car of the Year, and Canadian Car of the Year.

The Ioniq 5 has taken home 10 awards, while the Ioniq 6 and EV9 have received six. Kia's EV6 has won four times.

Volkwagen Group has amassed 33 awards while Stellantis Group and Mazda Motor have each claimed 19 during the same period.

The Korean EVs are mostly based on the E-GMP EV-dedicated platform that offers better safety and a spacious interior. They also come with a multi-charging system that accommodates 400-volt and 800-volt charging, with a vehicle-to-load function that allows owners to charge and power other devices with interior and exterior outlets.

Ioniq 5 [HYUNDAI MOTOR]

Kia is set to finish construction of its EV-dedicated factory in Gwangmyeong in Gyeonngi in the second quarter, where its lower-priced EV3s will be produced.

Hyundai's $5 billion EV facility in the U.S. state of Georgia is slated to start production at the end of year.

Hyundai Motor Group solidified its No. 3 position in the global sales last year, widening its gap with the fourth-ranked Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance and beating General Motors.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]