Hyundai Motor Group Vice Chair Chang Jae-hoon won the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, the highest honor in the Korean industrial sector.
He contributed to the Korean automobile industry securing future competitiveness, including leading domestic investments worth over 125 trillion won and securing core technologies, according to industry observers.
The 23rd Automobile Day commemorative Event was held at JW Marriott Hotel in Seocho-gu, Seoul on May 12.
It was hosted by the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA) and the Korea Auto Industries Coop. Association (KAICA).
This year’s event was held under the theme “50 Years Led by Exports and a New Enterprising Spirit toward Next 100 Years” to mark the 50th anniversary of automobile exports.
Vice Chair Chang was recognized for his contributions to Korea’s economic development, including revitalizing regional economies and leading a paradigm shift toward future mobility by large-scale domestic investments and securing core technologies.
Chang is leading the largest-ever domestic investment of 125.2 trillion won announced by Hyundai Motor Group in 2025 and pursuing the expansion of advanced production bases in Korea including the construction of an electric vehicle (EV) factory in Ulsan.
In February of this year, Chang also signed an investment agreement worth 9 trillion won with the Korean government and Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province for a 1,124,000-square-meter site in the Saemangeum region of Jeonbuk to prepare sites for robots, AI, hydrogen energy, solar power generation, and an AI hydrogen city.
Furthermore, as co-chair of the Hydrogen Council, Chang is contributing to securing global hydrogen leadership.
“I believe the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service belongs to all Hyundai Motor Group employees who have made a lot of efforts despite difficulties and uncertainties,” Chang said.
“In the unprecedented process of an industrial transformation where electrification, AI, and robotics are rising simultaneously, Hyundai Motor Group will lead changes and drive a new leap forward for the Korean automotive industry.”
Hyundai Motor’s “The New Grandeur” has been drawing much attention on its launch on May 14. (Photos: Hyundai Motor Group)
Successful Launch of the New Grandeur
Hyundai Motor’s The New Grandeur has been drawing attention on its launch on May 14.
The new model surpassed 10,000 contracts on the first day of its launch.
The Korean automaker announced on May 15 that it recorded a total of 10,277 contracts for the New Grandeur on the first day alone.
This has marked the second-highest record among all facelift models in history, following 17,294 units of the 6th Generation Grandeur released in November 2019.
It showed once again customers’ interest in Korea’s representative sedan.
This sales performance achieved by the New Grandeur is even more significant given that it is an internal combustion engine sedan and a facelift model in a recent automotive market environment characterized by a clear shift toward electric vehicles and an increase in demand for SUVs.
The initial success of the New Grandeur is attributed to product improvements aimed at achieving a transformation similar to those of new cars.
Hyundai Motor Company has implemented newness that transcends the limitations of previous facelift models by applying extensive changes to the exterior and interior design of The New Grandeur.
Innovation in digital experiences centered on the next-generation Pleos Connect Infotainment System is also considered a key factor in attracting customer interest.
Furthermore, experts say that the New Grandeur has been receiving positive responses thanks also to its smart device technology connected to customers’ daily lives.
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