Hyundai combustion engine development centre open or close

KUALA LUMPUR: Electric vehicle future is inevitable and automakers are in a race to go all-electric, however, Hyundai is taking a bold step further in the direction. How? By bringing the development of future internal combustion engines to a complete halt.

Business Korea dropped the above information before Christmas on its website wherein it claims that Hyundai Motor Group has officially cut its engine development department, the Namyang Research Institute, located in the south of Seoul. The article further states the powertrain team has been consumed by Hyundai’s electrification development team. Also, a battery development group has been established by the automaker.

The closure was also reported by The Korean Economic Daily, citing several unnamed industry sources along with an alleged email from Hyundai’s R&D chief Chung-Kook Park to its employees that read, "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."

However, until and unless there is an official announcement from Hyundai regarding the claim, nothing can’t be said for sure. Once we get some clarity on the matter we share an update.

The rumor regarding the closure of the Hyundai combustion engine development center does coincide with the significant shakeup and reshuffling in the company’s upper-level management.

For instance, Hyundai’s design boss Peter Schreyer is taking up a new role and its R&D head Albert Biermann recently announced his retirement. Not to forget the 200 executive promotions with over one-third taking place in the company’s R&D division.

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