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Hyundai Motor Group CEO, Euisun Chung, visited Saudi Arabia, the largest economy and a nation undergoing major industrial transformation. During his visit, Chung met with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Kingdom’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to discuss Hyundai’s local growth plans and explore future partnership opportunities.
The discussions between the CEO and the Crown Prince covered many key topics, ranging from the automotive sector to smart city initiatives.
Chung stated: “Hyundai Motor Group deeply understands the meaning and importance of Saudi Vision 2030,” he added: “Based on our competitive business capabilities, we are participating in Saudi Arabia's giga projects and look forward to expanding collaboration in future energy sectors including renewable energy, hydrogen, Small Modular Reactor (SMR), and nuclear energy.”
Strategic Partnership that Supports Vision 2030
As the largest automotive market in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia always attracts global car manufacturers, including Hyundai Motor Group, aiming to become a regional automotive hub serving the Middle East, as well as North Africa.
Chung expressed his gratitude for the ongoing support from the Saudi government, highlighting Hyundai’s collaborative projects and future plans that will help achieve the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in various sectors.
New Production Facility Under Development
Before meeting the Crown Prince, CEO Chung visited Hyundai Motor Middle East (HMMME) on October 26 at the King Salman Automotive Complex to check out the construction progress, also he participated in discussions with local Hyundai Motor and Kia leaders and engaged with employees on growth strategies.
Addressing staff working under extreme heat, Chung said: “Establishing a production base in Saudi Arabia represents Hyundai Motor's new opportunity in the Middle East. We must thoroughly prepare in every aspect to deliver mobility that exceeds customer expectations on time, in an environment different from our previous bases—characterized by high temperatures and desert conditions.”
The HMMME is Hyundai Motor’s first production facility in the Middle East, setting a key milestone for Hyundai’s leadership in the Saudi market. It is worth mentioning that Hyundai holds a 30% stake in the project, while the Saudi Public Investment Fund has 70%.
Construction began in May 2025, and the operations are expected to start in Q4 2026. The factory will have an annual production capacity of 50,000 units, including EVs and internal combustion engine (ICE) models.
Hyundai plans to operate the HMMME as a hub for high-quality vehicle production, employing multi-model production facilities to meet diverse customer needs. Also, the factory will feature simple, durable designs for easier maintenance, along with cooling and dust-resistant measures, in order to cope with high temperatures and sandy conditions.
Market Growth and Expansion Strategies
Hyundai Motor and Kia have achieved continuous growth in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, selling 149,604 units by September 2025, which is an increase by 8.5% year-on-year, with expectations to reach 210,000 units by the end of this year, representing a 5.9% increase over the year 2024.
Hyundai Motor aims to become the leading automotive company in the Kingdom, by leveraging the Saudi production base and a strong brand strategy, and offering exclusive editions, SUVs, and environmentally friendly vehicles of various types.
Meanwhile, Kia plans to further develop the recently launched Tasman pickup as a flagship model, expand production of electric and hybrid vehicles, and focus on attracting the used car market, alongside smart city initiatives in KSA.
Strengthening Partnerships Across Multiple Sectors
Hyundai continues to expand its partnerships with leading Saudi institutions in mobility, smart cities, and other sectors. In line with this, the group has signed an agreement with NEOM to provide future-oriented, eco-friendly mobility solutions. Moreover, the company successfully showcased the Universe FCEV fuel-cell electric bus along routes connecting NEOM’s Central Business District to the high-altitude Trojena region at 2,080 meters above sea level. Hyundai aims to continue as a key partner in developing future mobility solutions under the "Vision 2030".
Recently, Kia launched a pilot project for PV5 vehicles in collaboration with the Red Sea Global (RSG). This project provides PV5 passenger models and technical training support, promoting eco-friendly mobility adoption, developing the ecosystem, and delivering customized mobility solutions for the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia.
Finally, Hyundai Motor Group also collaborates with the MISK Foundation, which is a non-profit established by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2011, to nurture local youth talent and explore partnership opportunities in smart city initiatives. For more news and detailed reports on various car models, visit Motory Car News section.
