40th anniversary of Hyundai in Quebec
Hyundai in Canada: A Story of Triumph and Transformation
In 1983, a new car brand made its debut on Canadian soil, a brand that would forever change the country's automotive landscape. This brand was Hyundai, a bold and innovative Korean car manufacturer.
Humble Beginnings
When Hyundai landed in America with its humble Pony, no one would have bet on the future of this Korean manufacturer in North America. Yet, Hyundai chose Canada as its point of entry into the continent, not because of a visionary strategy, but because its models did not meet American pollution standards. Hyundai Auto Canada Corp was established in 1983 and began distributing the 1984 Pony. The Korean brand planned to sell 5,000 of its modest Ponies. It sold over 25,000! Quebec was particularly fond of this young subcompact, which quickly became the most popular in its category.
A Meteoric Rise
Hyundai's story is relatively recent. It began in 1947 when Chu Ju-Yung, born in 1925 and with an extraordinary sense of business, founded the Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company. It was not until 1967 that an automotive division, the Hyundai Motor Company, was founded. The first car manufactured by Hyundai was a Ford, the Cortina, made under license. However, Hyundai had bigger ambitions. In February 1974, it hired George Turnbull, a well-known name among English car enthusiasts, to develop Hyundai's first independent car, The Modern Era
Today, Hyundai is a huge company. In addition to automotive, it is active in steel, electrical and construction equipment, chemicals and green energy, as well as maritime and rail transport. Hyundai employs about 120,000 people worldwide. It develops remarkable technologies including the E-GMP electric platform. The Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 won the World Car of the Year award in 2022 and 2023. Hyundai also develops futuristic vehicles like the Nexo and its hydrogen fuel cell. And yet, people used to laugh at the Pony... Well, all that time, it had the genes for hydrogen!
Today, Hyundai is a huge company. In addition to automotive, it is active in steel, electrical and construction equipment, chemicals and green energy, as well as maritime and rail transport. Hyundai employs about 120,000 people worldwide. It develops remarkable technologies including the E-GMP electric platform. The Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 won the World Car of the Year award in 2022 and 2023. Hyundai also develops futuristic vehicles like the Nexo and its hydrogen fuel cell. And yet, people used to laugh at the Pony... Well, all that time, it had the genes for hydrogen!Hyundai in Canada, Already 40 Years
Hyundai Auto Canada, as it was called when it arrived in the country, was founded in the early 80s. This year, the manufacturer is therefore celebrating its 40th anniversary in the country, which is likely to result in commemorative editions of certain models.
A Lasting Legacy
Hyundai is more than just a car brand. It's a story of passion, perseverance, and pioneering vision. It's a story that began with a small car, the Pony, and evolved to become a global force in the automotive industry. Today, Hyundai continues to push the boundaries of mobility, with revolutionary innovations in artificial intelligence, robotics, and sustainable technologies.
At Brossard Hyundai, we are proud to be part of this incredible story. We are looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Hyundai and we are excited to share this journey with you.