Hyundai has reorganized its R&D facility in South Korea as it will no longer be developing internal combustion engines and instead focusing on electric vehicles.
According to Business Korea and Korea Economic Daily, the automaker has closed its engine development center in the Namyang Research Institute and officially declared it will not release new models powered by internal combustion engines. The powertrain Team has been converted into the electrification development team and all powertrain-related centers were converted to electrification units.
“Now, it is inevitable to convert into electrification," said R&D chief Park Chung-kook in an email to employees. "Our own engine development is a great achievement, but we must change the system to create future innovation based on the great asset from the past.”
Another big change at the automaker is the unification of the project management team and integrated product development team in an effort to shorten its electric vehicle development schedule. The new group covers all aspects of new vehicles from design to mass production.
“The immediate task is to develop innovative vehicles that can dominate the future market. This reorganization will be an important starting point for change ahead in the new year," Chung-kook said.
Hyundai has also decided to double down on its EV commitment by establishing a battery development center.
The 2022 Ioniq 5 is Hyundai's first dedicated EV. The Ioniq 7 SUV is expected to be in production soon.
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