“The word Hyundai translates to English as “Modernity” in Korean”: Everything You Should Know About the Hyundai Car Brand

The Hyundai brand is a popularly-known vehicle currently in Nigeria. The brand has grown in both presence and reputation. However, some people might still be confused about exactly where the Hyundai Motor Company came from.

Does it hail from Japan like the Japanese car company Toyota, or Honda? Here’s a little rundown of the Hyundai brand and its origin.

What is the Meaning of Hyundai?

Let’s talk about what Hyundai means. How do you even say Hyundai? Is it HI-oon-DYE? Or maybe Hoon-DYE? No, it’s neither of these. It is, in fact, pronounced HUN-day. Not complicated, but the spelling tends to throw people off from time to time.

The word Hyundai translates to English as “Modernity” in Korean. According to Planet Hyundai, the slogan for Hyundai Motor Company is “New Thinking, New Possibilities.” So, this runs parallel with the general mission of the car company as well as the name, Hyundai.

Which Company Makes Hyundai Car Engines?

The engine of a car is an absolute make-it-or-break-it piece of the puzzle. But who makes the engines that are used in Hyundai vehicles? According to Auto Influence, Hyundai engines were outsourced until the company released its own Hyundai engine in 1993.

The first Hyundai engine was a 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine. At the time of its debut, it was good for 71 horsepower and well as 81 pound-feet of torque. Hyundai also began making its own transmissions around this time. In fact, this meant that Hyundai vehicles are fashioned officially from all-Hyundai parts.

The original four-cylinder, 1.3-litre engine pumped out 71 horsepower and 81 pounds-feet of torque. The brand also succeeded in creating its own transmission, meaning the company now had the ability to produce a vehicle composed solely of Hyundai parts. Not many vehicles can feature this combination of brand-specific parts, truly emphasising Hyundai’s rising role in the automotive industry.

Is Hyundai Truly a Japanese Car Brand?

No. Hyundai is not a Japanese car company. Instead, it is a Korean brand that originated in Seoul, South Korea. That was back in 1947 by Chung Ju-Yung. At that point in time, Hyundai was a construction firm. So, instead of being Japanese Hyundai Motor Company is, in fact, Korean.

Today, Hyundai Motor Company is a multinational auto brand. However, the headquarters remain in Seoul, South Korea. The brand has a significant presence in the Nigerian market today. Popular cars like the Elantra, Sonata and Tucson are popular in Nigeria.

Do Hyundai Cars Last Long?

There have been times when Hyundai didn’t get as much respect as others, such as Japanese car companies Honda or Toyota. Today, Hyundai’s reputation in Nigeria has improved. But how reliable are Hyundai vehicles? Comments on Car Talk give a decent testament to their longevity. For instance, it seems the general consensus concerning Hyundai’s reliability on Car Talk is that it’s typically very good.

Conclusion

Overall, buying a Hyundai will bring a lot of value into the equation. But it’s not a Japanese car company. Hyundai Motor Company is a Korean brand headquartered in Seoul, South Korea.