| Hyundai-Kia opened the doors to its new headquarters
and first European R&D centre in Russelsheim, Germany in October 2003
with the recently appointed CEO, Park Hwang-Ho boldly announcing: “This
opening will help us achieve our goal of becoming the number five carmaker
in the world."
Hyundai-Kia’s new European headquarters and first European R&D facility |
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The headquarters, which bring together design and engineering centres
under the same roof as the sales and marketing division, cost over €50
million ($56 million) to build, with 25,000 square metres of workspace
being housed in a state-of-the-art building.
A clearly ecstatic Hwang-Ho, who was only elected as CEO in late August,
added: “This opening puts us in a strong position to expand and
become a trusted company that builds top quality motors.” According
to Hwang-Ho, the specific role of the R&D centre will be to ensure
that all future Hyundai and Kia models are fitted to the exacting demands
of the European customer. “We are thinking globally, but acting
locally,” commented the new CEO.
The engineering centre, which in itself represents an initial investment
of €12.6 million ($14.2 million) and offers a working area of 8,472
square metres, is fully equipped to evaluate new and existing powertrains
as well as actively engage in future development.
“Our aims are straightforward, but not simple,” explained
Nam Yong Kim, senior vice president and head of the new facility. “We
want to develop the best powertrain and chassis. We want to combine new
technology and advanced technology from European suppliers and create
a major European resource, in fact a European customised product.”
According to Kim, the Hyundai-Kia group is looking “to build cars
for all market segments,” with the new R&D centre having three
main objections. He explained: “Firstly, we want to meet Euro VI
emissions, we want to improve the all-road driveablity of the vehicles
and finally, for us, the future is important, so we need to build more
and come up with new concepts and designs.”
Kim added: “By being here, we’re in the right place to develop
relationships with the players in the industry, and already we have collaborated
with the likes of ZF, Porsche and Ricardo, to just name a few.”
The powertrain section of Hyundai-Kia’s new R&D facility comprises
of six dynamometers that are constantly engaged in benchmarking, research
and further diesel engine development. There is also a chassis dynamometer
that deals with engine-vehicle correlation, calibration and benchmarking,
as well as testing the quality of European supplied technology and components.
A test rig has also been added, and is will be used in the development
of injection and port systems.
Completing the R&D centre of Hyundai-Kia’s new European headquarters
is the European design centre that occupies 5,780 square metres, and includes
a modelling shop, paint shop, hard modelling room, machine room and two
modelling workshops.
Speaking at the opening of the design centre, Hyundai automotive group
chairman Mong-Koo Chung said: “We know that in Europe – and
particularly Germany – passion or emotion is one of the most important
criteria involved in the purchase of a car. A car must awake emotions
if it’s to succeed, and so design plays a primary and crucial role
here.”
As well as incorporating the latest 3D virtual reality simulation hardware
and software that will help ensure designers can optimise the future styling
of a vehicle, the design centre – by being located directly next
to the engineering centre – will help reduce the number of platforms
from 29 to seven by 2009.
No comment was made, however, on recent and strong speculation that DaimlerChrysler
is looking to increase its 10.5 per cent stake in Hyundai to 15.5 per
cent, a move that would result in DaimlerChrysler becoming the largest
shareholder in the South Korean carmaker.
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