For Moses Akaigwe

sweeping a multitude of awards across Europe in the fields of product, design and sustainability, Hyundai Motor celebrated one of its most awarded years. Notable honors included the IONIQ 5 being crowned ‘2022 World Car of the Year’, and the company’s N Vision 74 ‘rolling lab’ being named ‘Instant Icon’ at the recent Top Gear Awards 2022.

In 2022, Hyundai Motor Group was also named “Automobile Manufacturer of the Year” by Automobilwoche. The renowned German publication praised the Group for its “high quality” models.

In addition to receiving praise, Hyundai also had cause for celebration in Spain. There, its global bestseller, the Tucson, became the best-selling overall model of any manufacturer in the country for the first time.

Hyundai’s string of successes in many markets around the world is an indication that the brand’s popularity in Nigeria is not a flash point. Assembled and marketed in Nigeria by Hyundai Motors Nigeria {Stallion Motors}, Hyundai vehicles are market leaders in various segments, with some models, including the Hyundai Kona Electric, having won prestigious awards.

Kona is the first locally produced electric vehicle in Nigeria.

Looking back on 2022

Although Hyundai released fewer models in 2022 compared to previous years, the company continued to generate significant interest with the projects it unveiled. With the launch of the second model in its IONIQ lineup, the IONIQ 6, Hyundai has expanded its product portfolio. The company’s RN22e and N Vision 74 ‘rolling labs’ also caused a sensation, fusing electrification with high-performance driving and innovative technologies.

Award-winning electric vehicles and performance models

Hyundai’s product lineup received a significant amount of recognition this year, especially its IONIQ brand electric vehicles and high-performance models.

IONIQ 5

After winning 25 awards last year, the IONIQ 5 continued its winning streak in 2022. At the 2022 NYIAS World Car Awards, the model was awarded ‘World Car of the Year’, ‘World Electric Vehicle of the Year’ and ‘ World Car Design of the Year titles.

Lifestyle magazine, Esquire, named the IONIQ 5 “Car of the Year” for breaking the mold with its “clean design and simplicity over opulence.” The all-electric mid-size CUV also won ‘Best Electric Car’ at the Move Electric Awards 2022 and ‘UK Car of the Year’ at the UK Car of the Year Awards 2022. Additionally, it was judged on its safety, efficiency, value and advancement in design. , engineering excellence and performance, MotorTrend car magazine called it the ‘SUV of the Year 2023’.

In terms of market successes, IONIQ 6 has won a number of awards. These included the ‘Car and Driver Automotive Design Award 2022’ in Spain and the ‘Full Electric Paris Match Prize’ at the Automobile Awards in France.

In Germany, Auto Bild and Computer Bild honored the IONIQ 6 with the ‘Connect Car Award’, saying the EV offers the “connectivity expected of a modern car, with innovative features and intuitive operation.”

Across the Atlantic Ocean, the model won its first Canadian award: ‘New Car of the Year’ from Le Guide de l’auto. The editor-in-chief of the publication mentioned that even in the EV segment, the IONIQ 6 stands out thanks to its “design, driving dynamics and electric range of almost 500 kilometers”.

Vision No. 74

Hyundai’s eye-catching N Vision 74 fuel cell hybrid, which combines electrification and high performance, also received some notable awards. The rolling lab was named “Instant Icon” at the 2022 Top Gear Awards and “Concept Car of the Year” at the CDN People Awards.

commendable design

This year, Hyundai was recognized not only for its products but also for its design. The IONIQ 5 was honored as “Car Design of the Year” at the NYIAS World Car Awards, while the STARIA, SEVEN Concept and IONIQ 5 Robotaxi garnered multiple iF Design Awards. STARIA, the SEVEN concept, as well as Hyundai’s Trailer Drone and Plug & Drive concepts also won Red Dot awards.

In addition, SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai’s Global Design Center, was named “Design Hero of the Year” at the Autocar Awards for the impact he has made on the world of automotive design throughout his career. Lee’s recent work, including the IONIQ 5, has received universal acclaim.

High honors for high tech

As a technology leader, Hyundai was honored by the renowned Newsweek publication in 2022 for its work in developing a range of innovations. The publication named Euisun Chung, Executive Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, ‘Auto Disruptors Visionary of the Year’ and awarded Hyundai Motor Group’s engineering team the ‘R&D Team of the Year’ award for its BEV-dedicated electric motor industry leader. Global Modular Platform (E-GMP).

Newsweek also awarded Hyundai ‘Powertrain of the Year’ and ‘Powertrain Evolution of the Year’ for offering consumers “the choice of a 400V or 800V electrical system that allows for long distances and fast charging capabilities” to prices much lower than its competitors.

Customer Focus Awards

Customer focus is at the heart of all Hyundai products. In 2022, Hyundai models won awards in a variety of categories tailored to its customers. In addition, the TUCSON became the overall best-selling model of any car manufacturer in Spain, thanks to its state-of-the-art features, cutting-edge design and range of powertrains to suit every driver.

A couple of Hyundai models were recognized for their towing capabilities. What car? The 2022 Tow Car of the Year Awards named the TUCSON PHEV ‘Plug-in Hybrid Tow Car of the Year’. In the Netherlands, ANWN/KCK Kampioen awarded the title ‘Trailer of the Year 2022’ to the IONIQ 5, the first EV to win the award, for illustrating how technical innovation can be put into practice.

In 2022, a handful of Hyundai models were praised for offering good value for money. For its high-performance models, the i20 N won ‘Britain’s Most Affordable Driver’s Car’ at the Autocar Awards, and was named ‘Best Hot Hatch’ by Auto Express. Meanwhile, the i30 N was named the ‘Price-Performance Winner’ of the ‘Eifel-Meister’ test conducted by Germany’s Auto Zeitung, beating out seven competitors.

At the Fleet News Awards in the UK, KONA Electric was named ‘Best Zero Emissions Car Under £40,000’ and praised for its ‘real world range, huge boot and stylish interior’. In addition, Newsweek announced Hyundai as its ‘Best Bang for the Buck 2022’, citing that the company’s models “offer tremendous value, delivering high-quality appointments and easy-to-use technology to customers at affordable prices.”

Recognition of sustainability

On its journey to become a pure zero emission vehicle provider in Europe by 2035, sustainability is key for Hyundai. Since the beginning of the year, the company’s European production facility, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech (HMMC), has been operating solely on power from renewable sources. Hyundai also supports a circular economy by integrating recycled materials into its products, such as the ECONYL® floor mats in the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6, among other eco-friendly interior touchpoints.

Hyundai also received several sustainability awards. Autobest named the IONIQ 6 ‘ECOBEST Best EV of 2023’, and the IONIQ 5 won the title ‘World Electric Vehicle of the Year’ at the NYIAS World Car Awards. Additionally, at the CDN People Awards, Hyundai designers received the ‘Most Sustainable Design Team’ award.

Hyundai won a World Media Award in the ‘Social Good’ category for its documentary The Journey to Ithaca. Produced by BBC Storyworks in collaboration with Havas Media Germany and Innocean Worldwide, the film details the marine conservation organization, as well as Hyundai’s CSV partner, Healthy Seas’ largest ocean cleanup around an abandoned fish farm in Greece. During eight days, a team of 45 people removed 76 tons of debris from the sea, the coast and the beaches. Supporting a circular economy, various types of waste will be recycled into new materials.

In its evaluation of the project, World Media Group (WMG) said the campaign “created a genuinely positive and demonstrable impact for Hyundai and Ithaca.”

Looking towards 2023

Next year, Hyundai has planned several major product launches, including a second-generation KONA. This model will not only address diverse customer needs, but just like the first generation, it is expected to be the next big seller in Europe.

Hyundai will also bring its first high-performance electric vehicle production model to market with the IONIQ 5 N, underlining its leadership in electrification.