The Hyundai Motor Group, composed of Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis is reported to have closed its engine development center as it shifts its R&D resources towards battery electric technology.
Reported by The Korea Economic Daily (via Green Car Reports), the move is in lockstep with the Korean automakers’ plan to not release new models powered by internal combustion engines.
Deemed the largest reorganization of its R&D, Hyundai will move its existing powertrain team to a new electrification development team. Meanwhile, The Engine Development Center has been completely shut down. At the same time, the automaker decided to focus on securing battery technology by establishing the Battery Development Center.
While development of new internal combustion engines will cease, Hyundai will continue to update its existing offerings, especially its Smartstream D diesel engine.
This development comes as the US-based National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA has opened an investigation on three million Hyundai and Kia models said to be affected by engine fires.
Hope Hyundai and Kia will address first their numerous problematic engines for the safety of current and prospective owners.
ReplyDelete- Mark J.