In the wake of the post-war construction boom, Hyundai Construction founded Hyundai Motor in December 1967, thus contributing to the formation of the transport and engineering industries of South Korea. In 1968, Hyundai, originally known as a shipbuilding and engineering firm in various fields of civil engineering, began manufacturing automobiles.

Initially, the company produced under license a Ford Cortina MK I (Ford Cortina MK I). In 1973, the development department, led by George Turnbull, began working. Using the design contribution of Giorgio Giugiaro and its ItalDesign and manufacturing know-how from Japan and the UK, Hyundai was able to launch its first model. As a result, in 1985, the Hyundai-Pony 1.3 model appeared. This sub-compact was oriented towards the middle class of society and immediately gained success in the domestic market of Korea.

In the late 70s, the company first began exporting cars and gained invaluable experience in foreign markets.

In the 1980s, cars, once considered a symbol of wealth in Korean society, have now become nothing more than a means of transportation. By the mid-80s, Hyundai had successfully established itself in the export markets of Canada and the United States. A number of models have been adapted for export markets. The development of compact models did not stop. By the end of the 80s, the company had learned the lessons of the game in the U.S. Major League and prepared for the next decade and continuously increasing competition. By 1990, total US exports exceeded one million cars.

The first show of the Hyundai Sonata took place in the autumn of 1988. In 1993 and 1998, the Sonata was modernized. The car is partially used units manufactured under license from Mitsubishi.

In the 1990s, Hyundai's long-standing commitment to developing its own technologies began to be realized. In 1991, the company unveiled its first self-engineered Alpha engine. Two years later, the Beta engine appeared.

Lantra cars (Elantra in Korea) first appeared on the European market in the fall of 1990. The second generation Lantra / ElanIra with an elegant body was released in 1995. A five-door, five-seat, five-seater Hyundai Lantra Wagon station wagon is produced on the basis of a five-seat sedan. In April 2000, the Korean premiere of the third-generation Elantra family (type XD) took place, and in Europe the model was rather unexpectedly shown in June at the Turin Motor Show.

In January 1992, the world public first got an idea about the future of the Hyundai brand, seeing the first HCD-I concept car, which laid the tradition for creating original concept cars, including the HCD series.

The Hyundai HCD-II sports coupe model, introduced in 1992, was released in a small batch. The car was aimed at a market sector interested in prestigious cars, but considering similar European models too expensive. The company has made great strides in the development of electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and key industrial technologies, such as reducing exhaust emissions, improving the safety system and processing of waste raw materials.

In September 1994, the company introduced a new generation of X-3 models called Accent (in some countries it is still Ropu). The Hyundai Pony design concept has seamlessly evolved from the angular shapes of the first X-1 series through the somewhat smoothed X-2 series design to the fish-like look of the latest Accent X-3 series. In autumn 1999, the premiere of the European Accent II generation took place.

At the Geneva Motor Show in March 1996, the first show of the Hyundai Coupe sports coupe (Hyundai Tiburon in the USA) took place. At the end of 1999, the Coupe model (in Korea and the USA - Tiburon) was seriously updated.

The first show of the Hyundai Atoz car took place in the fall of 1997. In the fall of 1999, an update was made to the model, which became known as Hyundai Prime.

In 1998 at the Geneva Motor Show, an updated SUV appeared - the Hyundai Galloper II. The basis for the first all-wheel drive car Hyundai Galloper (Horse) was the first-generation Mitsubishi Pajero, which was produced from 1981 to 1991. The successor to the Galloper SUV was the Terracan.

In 1998, Hyundai Motor Company was going through difficult times, caused by a sharp decline in domestic sales. However, a number of new models, starting with the EF Sonata and XG, brought Hyundai the highest ratings from the international automotive press. It was a period of corporate and industrial restructuring. Acquisition of Kia / Asia Motors and the merger of HPI and HMS helped Hyundai achieve high economic performance, allowing them to compete in the global market.

1999 was a time of active and fruitful work for Hyundai Motor. Following the success of EF Sonata and XG, the HMC brings to the public four more recent developments: Centennial, the new Accent, the updated Coupe and Trajet. Trajet was Hyundai's first step in the MPV segment. This model has expanded the range of Hyundai products. The Dynasty luxury model was modernized in 1999.

HYUNDAI Equus (in Europe - Centennial) - a model of the highest class. Equus appeared simultaneously with its sister Mitsubishi Proudia in 1999. It is intended for senior government officials and corporate presidents, and is therefore equipped accordingly.

The first Santa Fe all-terrain show took place in January 1999 at the Detroit Auto Show.

In 2000, the XG / Grandeur XG has not changed; this is a front-wheel drive luxury sedan unified in chassis with the Sonata. The model fully complies with the most stringent European and American safety requirements, is very well equipped and relatively inexpensive.

In addition, Hyundai Motor signed an official partnership agreement and became the exclusive automobile sponsor of the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan. The sponsorship package applies to all events held by FIFA, in particular the Women's World Cup, the Confederations Cup, as well as the World Cup among children and youth teams. Hyundai Motor Company completed 1999 very successfully: the export volume broke all previous records and amounted to almost 701,000 cars, while domestic sales almost reached the pre-crisis level. The recovery of the Korean economy and the revival of demand for cars allowed Hyundai Motor to strengthen its position in the domestic market and compete with other brands globally.

The new millennium has expanded the horizons of the Hyundai Motor Company, which has now focused its efforts on strengthening its global presence. In July 2001, one of the largest foreign Hyundai plants in the city of Chennai. India, began production of the new Sonata, and the NMS plant in Turkey mastered the production of N-1 vans.

Hyundai Motor Company and DaimlerChrysler AG founded a joint venture for the production of commercial vehicles, which will be called Daimler Hyundai Truck Corporation. In June 2001, both companies announced plans for co-production since 2004 of a diesel engine for the 900-series Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles at Hyundai's Jeongju factory. It is planned that this company will annually produce up to 100,000 engines for the 900-series Mercedes-Benz trucks.

Currently, the South Korean company is optimistic about its prospects. In Europe, Accent, Lantra, Lantra Combi, Coupe and Sonata models sell well, as well as the new H1 Starex minibus and MX small car, which debuted at the Frankfurt International Motor Show.