Hyundai has announced that it is shutting down its internal combustion engine development to focus on electric cars. The South Korean automaker has been developing internal combustion engines for over 40 years but now it won’t any more.
According to the Korea Economic Daily, Hyundai’s new R&D chief Park Chung-kook confirmed in an email to employees that they are shutting down new engine development. The email reads:
“Now, it is inevitable to convert into electrification. 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.”
Related: Hyundai IONIQ 5 Wins 2022 German Car of the Year Award
Hyundai reportedly had 12,000 people working on the engines, but they are now being transferred to EV powertrain development. According to information, the researchers at the engine design unit have moved to the electrification design center, leaving only some to modify existing engines. The powertrain system development center is transforming into an electrification test center, while the powertrain performance development center is becoming an electrification performance development center. Park added on the change:
“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.”
Although Hyundai is still heavily investing in hydrogen fuel cells, but it is beginning to get some good success with battery-electric vehicles such as the Ioniq 5. A full lineup of Ioniq battery-electric vehicles is expected to follow as the automaker is increasingly investing in the EV technology, which most industry analysts agree will power the entire automotive space as more & more automakers announcing their plans to bid farewell to internal combustion engines & shift towards electrification.
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
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