Dubai / SEOUL, July 26, 2021 – Hyundai Motor Group Honorary Chairman, Mong-Koo Chung, has
been officially inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame at the 2020/2021 Induction and Awards
Ceremony. The industry’s top honor was presented to the class of 2020 at a celebration held at the
ICON Convention Center in Detroit on July 22.
The induction ceremony was attended by Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung, who
participated in Honorary Chairman Mong-Koo Chung’s place. Chairman Chung received the
induction trophy and made a speech on behalf of his father.
“Honorary Chairman Chung grew Hyundai Motor group into the world’s fifth largest automaker from
its humble beginning. If my father were here, he would say he owes this honor to our employees,
dealers and fantastic customers,” said Euisun Chung. “My father continued the legacy of my
grandfather Ju-yung Chung, who founded Hyundai. He expanded the Group’s presence globally and
continued to pursue excellence in quality. He made the Group something that employees and
customers can all be proud of.”
Chairman Chung also did not forget to mention his vision for the future.
“As Hyundai embraces the challenges and the opportunities of the 21st century, we will continue to
strive for excellence, challenge convention and lead the evolution of smart mobility. We will realize
progress for humanity,” said the Chairman.
According to the Automotive Hall of Fame, Hyundai Motor Group’s success owes much to Honorary
Chairman Chung, and his legacy is on par with other legends of the industry who have launched and
guided automotive firms to global growth and renown. Through his leadership, Hyundai Motor Group
became the world’s fifth-largest automotive group.
The Automotive Hall of Fame also took note of Chung’s many accomplishments, including:
1-Acquiring Kia Motors Corporation into Hyundai Motor Group
2-Spearheading the Group’s growth with new plants in key regions, including United States,Europe, China, India, Brazil and Russia
3-Creating a highly efficient, vertically integrated business structure that produces everything from steel to vehicles
The Automotive Hall of Fame was established in 1939 to honor notable business leaders who have
contributed significantly to the advancement of the automotive industry and mobility. Chung becomes
the first Korean to receive this honor, which was first announced in February 2020. The Automotive
Hall of Fame previously honored Chung with its Distinguished Service Citation Award in 2001.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s Automotive Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony celebrated
the inductees for the years 2020 and 2021. Inductees announced in 2020 include Thomas Gallagher,
former CEO of Genuine Parts Company; Jay Leno, automotive heritage leadership through his Jay
Leno’s Garage series on CNBC; and Helene Rother, one of the first women in automotive interior
design for General Motors, Nash Motors. The class of 2020 also included Mobility Innovator Awardee
Harold Goddijn, CEO and co-founder of TomTom technologies.
Inductees announced in 2021 include C.R. Patterson and Frederick Patterson, leaders of the U.S.’s
first and only African American owned auto manufacturer; and Charlie Wiggins, a barrier-breaking
motorsports racer and engineer.
During the Induction ceremony, a tribute video was played to show the Honorary Chairman’s
accomplishments and contributions to the automotive industry. In the meanti me, NEXO and IONIQ
5 were on display to demonstrate Chung’s contribution to spearheading the industry’s efforts to
advance hydrogen fuel cell technology and electrification.
The day before the induction ceremony, an engraving of Chairman Chung’s signature was placed
on permanent display at the Automotive Hall of Fame along with the signatures of the other inductees.
Mong-Koo Chung: Passion and relentless drive for quality
Mong-Koo Chung, Honorary Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, championed the development of
the Korean economy and the automotive industry while also growing Hyundai Motor Group into one
of the top five automotive groups globally – achieved in an historically short period of time for the
sector.
Chung led the acquisition of Kia Corporation and turned it into a profitable company within the first
year of acquisition. With his passion for quality and a determination to foster its own R&D capabilities,
he created Korea’s first and only automotive group while simultaneously growing the auto parts and
materials industries.
Honorary Chairman Chung often emphasized that the best quality is a virtue that cannot be
compromised. Through his continued focus on quality, Hyundai vehicles now receive favorable
reviews from global quality assessment agencies around the globe. The 10-year, 100,000-mile
powertrain warranty implemented in the U.S. market in 1998, one of Chung’s initiatives, laid the
foundation for Hyundai to grow into a global powerhouse.
Despite concerns over large-scale investment, Chung spearheaded global expansion of the Group’s
production capabilities and R&D network. Under his leadership, Group’s production facilities
expanded its presence across the world including the U.S., Europe, China, Russia, Brazil and Mexico,
creating a system for rapid growth and endurance. A global network of production and R&D gave
Hyundai Motor Group a competitive edge that allowed it to survive through numerous global
economic crises.
He also helped to develop Korea’s materials industry by building an integrated steel mill that
maximized synergy across the Group, and created the world's first resource-circulating business
structure, presenting a new ideal for sustainable management.
Honorary Chairman Chung recognized the potential in hydrogen energy and encouraged the
development of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles ahead of other manufacturers, allowing the
company to introduce the world’s first mass-production hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle in 2013.
His innovative leadership and business philosophy has been recognized and celebrated through
various awards over the years, including Korea Management Association’s CEO of the Year Award
(1996), Business Week’s Auto CEO of the Year (2004), Automotive News’ Top Automotive CEO in
Asia (2005), Van Fleet Award (2009), and inclusion in Harvard Business Review’s ‘CEO 100’.
? Honorary Chairman Mong-Koo Chung Profile
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Industry Business Administration, Hanyang University
Experience
2020.9 ~ Honorary Chairman, Hyundai Motor Group
2000 ~ 2020 Chairman, Hyundai Motor Group
1999 ~ 2000 CEO & Chairman, Hyundai Motor Co. & Kia Motors Corp.
1996 ~ 2000 Chairman, Hyundai Group
1987 ~ 1996 Chairman of Hyundai Precision Industry, Hyundai Motor Service, Hyundai Pipe, Hyundai Development Company and Incheon Iron & Steel
1970 Manager, Hyundai Motor Company
Dubai / SEOUL, July 26, 2021 – Hyundai Motor Group Honorary Chairman, Mong-Koo Chung, has been officially inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame at the 2020/2021 Induction and Awards Ceremony. The industry’s top honor was presented to the class of 2020 at a celebration held at the ICON Convention Center in Detroit on July 22.