Hyundai research
Who makes Hyundai? Hyundai's history in the US, 1986 to today
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Hyundai cars are made by Hyundai Motor Company, founded in South Korea in 1967 and part of Hyundai Motor Group, which also includes Kia and Genesis. Hyundai Motor America was set up in 1985 and began selling the Excel in the US in 1986. Hyundai has built cars in Alabama since 2005 and EVs in Georgia since 2024.
Hyundai history timeline
Milestones link to a full history page with years and production numbers, key variants, what changed and what to check before you buy one.
1967
Hyundai Motor Company founded
Hyundai Motor Company was incorporated in South Korea in 1967 and finished its Ulsan assembly plant in 1968. Its Pony, launched in 1976, was the first Korean passenger car.[1],[2]
1985–1986
Hyundai Motor America and the Excel
Hyundai incorporated its US subsidiary, Hyundai Motor America, in 1985, and exports of the Excel to the US began in 1986. The base Excel was priced at $4,995, and 168,882 were sold in the first year. EPA's fuel-economy listings first show Hyundai for the 1986 model year, as the Pony Excel.[1],[3],[4]
1989–1991
Sonata, Scoupe and Elantra join
Hyundai added the 1990 Sonata sedan in 1989, the 1991 Scoupe coupe in 1990 and the 1992 Elantra in August 1991, building a full lineup around the Excel.[3]
1998
America's Best Warranty and the Kia acquisition
Hyundai launched the Hyundai Advantage, 'America's Best Warranty', with 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage. In December 1998 Hyundai acquired Kia Motors.[1],[3]
2000
Santa Fe, Hyundai's first SUV
Hyundai entered the SUV class in summer 2000 with the 2001 Santa Fe, which Hyundai called the fastest-selling vehicle in its history.[3]
2005
Alabama plant opens
Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Hyundai's first US plant, held its grand opening on May 20, 2005, and began production with a 2006 Sonata. Ground was broken in April 2002.[3],[5]
2015
Genesis brand and the N brand
Hyundai launched Genesis as a global luxury brand in 2015 and unveiled its high-performance 'N' brand at the Frankfurt Motor Show the same year. Cumulative US sales passed 10 million units in 2015.[6]
2018
Veloster N, the first US N model
Hyundai unveiled the Veloster N in Detroit in January 2018 as its first US-market N model. The 2019 Veloster N started at $26,900 before $885 destination.[7],[8]
2021
IONIQ 5 on the E-GMP platform
Hyundai launched the IONIQ 5, its first model on the dedicated E-GMP electric platform, in 2021. The 2022 IONIQ 5 started at $39,700 before delivery in the US.[9],[10],[11]
2024–2025
Georgia Metaplant
Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America near Savannah, Georgia, began building the IONIQ 5 in October 2024 and added the IONIQ 9 in March 2025. Hyundai marked the plant's grand opening in 2025.[10],[12]
Hyundai US firsts
| Year | Model or event | What it was |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Excel | First Hyundai sold in the US; base price $4,995 |
| 1989 | 1990 Sonata | Hyundai's second US model |
| 1998 | Hyundai Advantage | 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty launched |
| 2000 | 2001 Santa Fe | Hyundai's first SUV |
| 2005 | 2006 Sonata (Alabama) | First Hyundai built at its first US plant |
| 2018 | 2019 Veloster N | First US-market N performance model |
| 2021 | IONIQ 5 | First Hyundai on the E-GMP EV platform |
| 2024 | 2025 IONIQ 5 (Georgia) | First vehicle built at the Georgia Metaplant |
Hyundai's US plants
| Plant | Location | Production start | Builds (current) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) | Montgomery, Alabama | May 2005 (2006 Sonata) | Tucson, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Santa Cruz |
| Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) | Ellabell (Bryan County), Georgia | October 2024 (2025 IONIQ 5) | IONIQ 5, IONIQ 9, Kia Sportage Hybrid |
Full detail and buying advice: Hyundai in the US (1986–present) history.
Every Hyundai model history
Hyundai in America
- Hyundai in the US (1986–present) history (1986–present)
Performance
- Hyundai N in the US (2019–present) history (2018–present)
How to check a Hyundai's factory build
Standardized 17-character VINs began with model year 1981[14]. For a 1981-or-later Hyundai, CarWhere can check a VIN for licensed factory build data and, when it exists, list the equipment the vehicle was built with in plain English: see the Hyundai build sheet by VIN. Coverage varies by VIN and model year. Earlier vehicles are identified by their original serial number, vehicle data plate and engine stampings instead.
Frequently asked questions
Who makes Hyundai cars?
Hyundai Motor Company of South Korea, founded in 1967. Its US arm, Hyundai Motor America, sells the cars here, and Hyundai builds the Tucson, Santa Fe and Santa Cruz in Montgomery, Alabama, and the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9 at its Georgia Metaplant.
Is Hyundai the same company as Kia?
They are separate brands in the same group. Hyundai acquired Kia Motors in December 1998, and Hyundai Motor Group lists Hyundai Motor Company, Kia and Genesis as its automobile companies.
When did Hyundai come to the US?
Hyundai Motor America was incorporated in 1985, and Excel exports to the US began in 1986. The base Excel cost $4,995, and Hyundai sold 168,882 of them in the first year.
When did Hyundai start the 10-year/100,000-mile warranty?
In 1998. Hyundai launched the Hyundai Advantage, which it called America's Best Warranty, with 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage, 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage and 5-year unlimited-mileage roadside assistance.
Where are Hyundais made in the US?
At Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama in Montgomery, open since May 2005, which builds the Tucson, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid and Santa Cruz, and at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Georgia, which builds the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9.
Does Hyundai own Genesis?
Yes. Hyundai launched Genesis as its global luxury brand in 2015, and Hyundai Motor Group lists Genesis alongside Hyundai Motor Company and Kia.
More Hyundai research
- Hyundai tools & data hub
- Hyundai Santa Fe known issues
- Hyundai Tucson known issues
- Hyundai Palisade known issues
- Hyundai Kona known issues
- Hyundai Elantra known issues
- Hyundai Sonata known issues
- Hyundai Santa Cruz known issues
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 known issues
- Hyundai Veloster known issues
- Hyundai Venue known issues
- Theta II (2.4L and 2.0T) engine guide
- Smartstream (G1.6T, G2.0, G2.5) engine guide
- E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform) engine guide
Sources
Production figures, dates and ratings come from Hyundai AG and Hyundai of America press and heritage materials, official race results and reputable automotive press wherever available. References marked secondary are encyclopedic or enthusiast sources used only where a primary figure was not available. Market medians are CarWhere's own analysis of live US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers.
- Hyundai Motor Company history, 1967–2000 — Hyundai Motor Company (hyundai.com Worldwide)
- Hyundai Motor Group affiliates — Hyundai Motor Company (hyundai.com Worldwide)
- Hyundai Motor America – A Brand History (last updated February 2011) — Hyundai Motor America, HyundaiNews.com (archived copy) (archived copy of https://www.hyundainews.com/assets/documents/original/19869-HyundaiMotorAmerica%E2%80%93ABrandHistory.txt)
- EPA fuel economy: Hyundai models listed for the 1986 model year — U.S. DOE / EPA (fueleconomy.gov)
- About HMMA (Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama) — Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC (hmmausa.com)
- Hyundai Motor Company history, 2011–2015 — Hyundai Motor Company (hyundai.com Worldwide)
- Hyundai Reveals First U.S. Market High Performance Model (Veloster N, Jan. 15, 2018) — Hyundai Motor America, HyundaiNews.com (archived copy) (archived copy of https://www.hyundainews.com/assets/documents/original/31142-2019VelosterNReleaseFINAL11118.pdf)
- Hyundai Announces Veloster N Pricing (Nov. 13, 2018) — Hyundai Motor America, HyundaiNews.com (archived copy) (archived copy of https://www.hyundainews.com/assets/documents/original/34747-2019HyundaiVelosterNPricingRelease111318ab.pdf)
- Hyundai Motor Company history, 2016–2020 — Hyundai Motor Company (hyundai.com Worldwide)
- Hyundai Motor Company history, 2021–2025 — Hyundai Motor Company (hyundai.com Worldwide)
- Hyundai Releases Pricing for Highly Anticipated IONIQ 5 EV (Dec. 13, 2021) — Hyundai Motor America, HyundaiNews.com (archived copy) (archived copy of https://www.hyundainews.com/assets/documents/original/49088-IONIQ5pricingpressrelease13Dec2021.pdf)
- HMGMA: Our Products (IONIQ 5, IONIQ 9, Kia Sportage Hybrid) — Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (hmgma.com)
- HMGMA home: Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America — Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (hmgma.com)
- 49 CFR Part 565 — Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) requirements — eCFR (U.S. Government)
Independent reference compiled by CarWhere Research — not affiliated with or endorsed by Hyundai Motor America or Hyundai Motor Group. Hyundai and the model names are trademarks of their owners.