Already over 50 years old - Hyundai
01/20/2019
The HyundaiMotor Company was founded back in 1967, who would have thought it?
Initially, Ford models (Cortina, Taunus) were built under license, but the company soon developed the desire to build its own models.
Experienced developers and managers were brought in, including George Turnbull from British Leyland. Together with Kenneth Barnett, John Simpson, Edward Chapman, John Crosthwaite and Peter Slater, he designed a compact passenger car that was technically reminiscent of the Morris Marina and the Ford Cortina, not entirely coincidentally. The engine and transmission were taken from Mitsubishi, while Italian influences were chosen for the design.
In November 1974, Giugiaro presented the new Hyundai models in Turin, namely a saloon and a wedge-shaped coupé, alongside designs such as the Maserati Indy and the Maserati Medici, while Bertone presented the Lamborghini Bravo at the same time.
This Hyundai Pony (pictured above) was then built from December 1975, and it was another three years before the first potential buyers in Europe were able to purchase it, as export markets such as Argentina and Egypt were served first. The first generation was built until 1982, followed by a second generation that lasted until 1987. With the Hyundai Excel, the Korean manufacturer then delivered its first front-wheel drive car, which was followed by the Accent around the year 2000.
Since then, the product range has steadily expanded and now even includes SUVs and electric cars. However, hardly any of today's buyers are likely to know anything about the manufacturer's more than 50 years of automotive tradition, and the supplier hardly cultivates it.
