It all started with a small repair shop. Now Hyundai is the sixth largest car manufacturer in the world. Take our interactive tour to find out how – and when – it happened.

Hyundai in the 1940s

1946 Hyundai Motor Company established

1947 Hyundai Civil Engineering Company founded

1946

At Hyundai:

Aged just 32, Chung Ju-Yung buys a piece of land in the middle of Seoul with some friends. He puts up a sign saying ‘Hyundai Motors Co’. Hyundai is born.

Around the world:

UNICEF is founded. The bikini is introduced. Suntan lotions, developed for troops during World War II are marketed to consumers for the first time. Syria gains independence from France.

1947

At Hyundai:

Chung Ju-Yung learns that the construction, trade and civil engineering industries are booming. He starts his new business, Hyundai Civil Engineering Company, and wins contracts worth £15.3 million in the first year.

Around the world:

Notorious gangster Al Capone dies. Princess Elizabeth becomes engaged to Lt Philip Mountbatten. India gains independence from Britain.

1950s

Hyundai in the 1950s

1950 The two Hyundai companies become one

1951 Hyundai’s founder becomes a newspaper man

1952 Hyundai builds residence for Eisenhower

1953 Hyundai teeters on the brink of bankruptcy

1957 Hyundai becomes one of the top five Korean enterprises

1950

At Hyundai:

Chung Ju-Yung merges his two companies – Hyundai Motors Company and Hyundai Civil Engineering Company – to form the Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company Ltd. But it only lasts for six months before being bombed in the Korean War.

Around the world:

The Korean War begins. The Peak District is designated as Britain’s first National Park. Mount Etna volcano erupts in Sicily. The first Frank Sinatra Show is broadcast on American television.

1951

At Hyundai:

To escape the Korean War, Chung Ju-Yung flees to Pusan. To support his family he starts doing odd jobs, including delivering newspapers.

Around the world:

The United Nations Headquarters opens in New York. The Dennis the Menace comic strip character appears in US comics for the first time. Juan Peron is re-elected president of Argentina.

1952

At Hyundai:

The US Garrison entrusts Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company with the task of building a residence for General Eisenhower to live in during a visit to Korea. They’re told it must have a water closet. Although Chung Ju-Yung has no idea what a water closet is, his company gets the work done within 15 days.

Around the world:

The Olympic Games is held in Helsinki. The diary of Anne Frank is published. Sister Theresa becomes Mother Theresa and begins her charity work in Calcutta.

1953

At Hyundai:

A ceasefire is agreed and the Korean War ends. Hyundai’s construction business starts taking domestic orders, the first of which is to rebuild the Golyong Bridge over the Nakdong River. But post-war inflation causes huge deficits in the project and Hyundai verges on bankruptcy. Chung Ju-Yung refuses to give up.

Around the world:

Mount Everest is conquered for the first time. US President Harry S. Truman announces that the US has the Hydrogen Bomb. Queen Elizabeth is crowned in Westminster Abbey.

1957

At Hyundai:

The virtually unknown Hyundai Engineering & Construction Company beats all its rivals and wins the contract to build the first Han River Bridge – the largest ever post-war reconstruction project. Hyundai becomes one of the top five leading construction enterprises in Korea. The bridge opens for traffic in September.

Around the world:

The world’s first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, is launched by the Soviet Union. Harold Macmillan becomes British Prime Minister.

1960s

Hyundai in the 1960s

1967 The Hyundai Motor Company is established in Seoul

1968 Hyundai and Ford work together

1967

At Hyundai:

Although the Korean State Minister of Industry and Commerce claims it’s more economical to import motor vehicles than produce them, Chung Ju-Yung decides to establish the Hyundai Motor Company in Seoul.

Around the world:

A prototype of the Concorde supersonic airliner is unveiled in Toulouse, France. British motorboat racer Donald Campbell dies while attempting a water speed record on Coniston Water. American athlete Michael Johnson is born.

1970s

Hyundai in the 1970s

1974 Hyundai develops its first car, the Pony

1976 First Pony exported

At Hyundai:

The Pony is unveiled at the 55th Turin International Motor Fair and becomes the first automobile ever manufactured in Korea. It’s been developed using Italian, Japanese and Ford technology and expertise – and becomes a huge domestic success.

Around the world:

Lord Lucan disappears in the UK. The Watergate scandal erupts in the US. West Germany defeats the Netherlands 2-1 to win the World Cup.

1980s

Hyundai in the 1980s

1982 Introduction of the Pony II

1984 Pony production exceeds 500,000 units

1985 Excel model launched – Hyundai Motor America is born

1986 Excel production exceeds 1 million

1987 Hyundai launches new trucks

1988 The mid-size Sonata is introduced

1989 Hyundai car production exceeds 3 million units

1982

At Hyundai:

After the success of the first Pony, Hyundai launches the Pony II – a facelift of the first. It has rectangular halogen headlamps, a new radiator grille, wrap-around indicators, re-styled rear lamps and a neatly designed instrument panel. Exports to the UK begin.

Around the world:

The first music CDs are launched in the UK. British Task Force sails south to take back the Falkland Islands. Pope John Paul makes an historic visit to the UK.

1984

At Hyundai:

Pony production exceeds 500,000 units – and exports to Canada begin. The new Pony Pickup goes on sale in Europe. The Stellar model is launched.

Around the world:

36 of Britain and Ireland’s top musicians form Band Aid and record the song ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’ to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia.

1985

At Hyundai:

In Europe, the Pony is replaced by the new Hyundai Excel. The Pony is sold alongside the Excel in Canada for a few more years. Hyundai Motor America is founded and quickly grows into the fourth best-selling foreign importer into the US.

Around the world:

The wreck of the Titanic is discovered on the Atlantic Ocean Floor.

1986

At Hyundai:

Cumulative production of all models exceeds 1 million. The Excel is exported to the US and the Grandeur luxury car is launched.

Around the world:

Argentina beats West Germany 3-2 in the World Cup Final in Mexico. The Space Shuttle Challenger explodes on take-off from Cape Canaveral.

1987

At Hyundai:

The company’s product range expands with the launch of the Grace Minibus, the Porter 1 tonne truck and the Mighty 2.5 tonne truck.

Around the world:

Construction begins on the Channel Tunnel. British peace envoy Terry Waite is kidnapped in Beirut. A hurricane strikes southern England. Stock markets around the world fall on ‘Black Monday’.

1988

At Hyundai:

Built for the North American market, the Sonata is introduced. A mid-size saloon, the exterior is designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign and features Mitsubishi engineering.

Around the world:

The Olympic Games are held in Seoul, South Korea. The Soviet Union begins its withdrawal from Afghanistan.

1989

At Hyundai:

Cumulative production of all models exceeds 3 million. Excel exports surpass 1 million. The new V6 engine plant is established. Hyundai Motor Finance Company launches.

Around the world:

Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali dies. The Hillsborough disaster becomes one of football’s worst ever tragedies. ‘Ride on time’ by Black Box is the year’s biggest selling single.

1990s

Hyundai in the 1990s

1990 Korea’s first sports fashion car is launched

1991 Car production exceeds 4 million

1992 Hyundai Scoupe Turbo scores famous rally victory

1993 Elantra wins Australian Best Car ‘93

1994 The Hyundai Accent is launched

1995 Accent wins Canadian Best Buy Award

1996 US welcomes the Tiburon sports coupe

1990

At Hyundai:

Korea’s first sports fashion car, the sporty Scoupe is introduced. Later versions use the Hyundai Alpha straight-4 engine – the first ever designed in Korea. Exports of the Scoupe exceed 1 million in its first year.

Around the world:

East and West Germany are officially reunified. The former East Germany holds its first free election since 1932.

1991

At Hyundai:

Cumulative production of all models exceeds 4 million. Hyundai’s first engine, the alpha, is introduced.

Around the world:

In Amsterdam, twenty Van Gogh paintings are stolen, then found thirty five minutes later locked in a car. Operation Desert Storm begins, with the aim of liberating Kuwait.

1992

At Hyundai:

The Scoupe Turbo – notable for its powerful engine – wins the Pikes Peake Hill Climb Rally.

Around the world:

Buckingham palace opens its doors to the public for the first time. Signing of the Maastricht Treaty inaugurates the European Union. The FA Premier League is formed.

1993

At Hyundai:

The Elantra – a compact sedan which is sold as the Lantra in Australian and European markets until 2001 – wins Best car of 1993 in Australia.

Around the world:

Bill Clinton succeeds George H.W. Bush as US President. The Maastricht Treaty activates, formally establishing the European Union.

1994

At Hyundai:

The ultra-modern Hyundai Accent replaces the Excel model. Hyundai launches Beta, its second proprietary engine.

Around the world:

Nelson Mandela is inaugurated as South Africa’s first black President. Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain is found dead at his home in Seattle, Washington.

1995

At Hyundai:

The Accent wins the Canadian Best buy Award. The Avante – a compact to mid-size car – launches and wins the Asia-Pacific Rally.

Around the world:

Austria, Finland and Sweden join the European Union. ‘Rogue trader’, Nick Leeson, is arrested for his role in the collapse of Barings Bank.

1996

At Hyundai:

The Tiburon sports coupe is introduced to the US. The Dynasty luxury car launches. Phase 2 of the Namyang Research and Design Centre is completed. Hyundai introduces Korea’s first credit card. Cumulative vehicle exports exceed 4 million units.

Around the world:

The Prince and Princess of Wales are formally divorced. Dolly the Sheep, the world’s first cloned animal, is born.

2000s

Hyundai in the 2000s

2001 Hyundai sales at all-time US high

2004 Hyundai sales set UK record

2005 New plant opens in Alabama, US

2006 Hyundai becomes sixth largest car manufacturer

2007 New i30 unveiled at Geneva Auto Show

2001

At Hyundai:

Hyundai sets yet another record: 346,235 vehicles are sold in the US. This accounts for a 42% increase in sales over 2000 – the largest increase in the US car industry to date.

Around the world:

Pope John Paul II sends the first papal email. The Labour Party under Tony Blair is elected for s second term in the British General Election.

2004

At Hyundai:

37,611 Hyundai vehicles are sold in the UK. It’s an all-time record for the company in the UK and another example of the company’s growing popularity.

Around the world:

US voters re-elect President George W. Bush for a second term. Armed robbers steal Edvard Munch’s The Scream from the Munch Museum in Oslo, Norway.

2005

At Hyundai:

A new $1.2 billion assembly plant opens in Alabama – Hyundai’s first manufacturing outlet in the US. The company also unveils the first hydrogen-powered Tucson SUV at Los Angeles Auto Show. Hyundai is named the fifth largest car importer in the US.

Around the world:

At 66 years of age, Adriana Iliescu becomes the oldest woman to give birth. London wins the 2012 Olympics bid.

2006

At Hyundai:

Hyundai is named as the sixth largest automotive manufacturer in the world, according to the Detroit-based weekly Automotive News. An investment of $1 billion paves the way for Hyundai’s second manufacturing plant in Beijing, China, a 50:50 partnership with Beijing Automotive Holdings.

Around the world:

Saddam Hussein is convicted of crimes against humanity by an Iraqi court and executed in Baghdad. The ‘Godfather of Soul’, James Brown, dies at the age of 73. Italy beat France on penalties in the World Cup Final.

2007

At Hyundai:

Hyundai introduces its new i30 model at the Geneva Auto Show. A new assembly plant is opened in Brazil. It will have the capability to build 50,000 units annually and includes a body welding shop, paint line and final assembly plant.

Around the world:

Gerry Adams, leader of Sinn Fein, and Rev. Ian Paisley, head of the Democratic Unionist Party, reach an agreement for a power-sharing government in Northern Ireland. French voters elect Nicolas Sarkozy as their new President.