Hyundai Mobis builds new electrification research center

South Korea’s Hyundai Mobis announced on Tuesday that it opened the Electrification Research Center in Euiwang, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.

“The Electrification Research Center is a strategic hub for next-generation electrification technology with an optimal research environment,” the newly appointed CEO of Hyundai Mobis Lee Kyu-seok said at the opening ceremony. “We will concentrate core capabilities with a focus on specialized research personnel and utilize it as an innovation base for the electrification field.”

The newly established center will focus on the development of core components for electrification, including research and development (R&D), testing, performance evaluation, and quality analysis.

Hyundai Mobis plans to gather its dispersed electrification R&D capabilities to improve research efficiency through this initiative.

The 71,405-square-meter facility will house research and analysis facilities across nine floors, including four basement floors. The company aims to continuously strengthen its competitiveness by recruiting specialized research personnel and positioning the electrification research center as a core hub for global electrification technology development.

This move follows Hyundai Mobis' strategy to operate two distinct research centers domestically, with the Euiwang Research Center specializing in electrification component technology development, testing and performance evaluation, while the Mabuk Research Center focuses on the development of key components for autonomous driving, connectivity, chassis safety and other areas.

Hyundai Mobis operates a driving test facility in Seosan, where it evaluates the performance and reliability of R&D outcomes in real vehicles.

The company views the establishment of this electrification research center as a significant step toward becoming a Mobility Platform Provider offering future software-centric integrated solutions.

With numerous electrification component production facilities globally, Hyundai Mobis has expanded its presence with nine electrification component production bases. The company recently established six new facilities, not only in South Korea but also in North America and Indonesia.

As a result, Hyundai Mobis' electrification sales surpassed 9,794.1 billion won ($7.45 billion) cumulatively in the third quarter of 2022, exceeding the total electrification sales for the previous year.

Write to Nan-Sae Bin at binthere@hankyung.com