Hyundai Group chairman Mong-Koo Chung inducted into Automotive Hall of Fame

Hyundai Motor Group’s honorary Chairman, Mong-Koo Chung, has been officially inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame at the 2020/2021 Induction and Awards Ceremony. The industry’s top honour was presented to the class of 2020 at a celebration held at the ICON Convention Center in Detroit yesterday.

The induction ceremony was attended by Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung, who participated in Honorary Chairman Mong-Koo Chung’s place. Chairman Chung received the induction trophy and made a speech on behalf of his father.

“ Honorary Chairman Chung grew Hyundai Motor group into the world’s fifth largest automaker from its humble beginning. If my father were here, he would say he owes this honour to our employees, dealers and fantastic customers,” said Euisun Chung. “My father continued the legacy of my grandfather Ju-yung Chung, who founded Hyundai. He expanded the Group’s presence globally and continued to pursue excellence in quality. He made the Group something that employees and customers can all be proud of," said Euisun Chung. 

According to the Automotive Hall of Fame, Hyundai Motor Group’s success owes much to Honorary Chairman Chung, and his legacy is on par with other legends of the industry who have launched and guided automotive firms to global growth and renown. Through his leadership, Hyundai Motor Group became the world’s fifth-largest automotive group.

The Automotive Hall of Fame also took note of Chung’s many accomplishments, including:

- Acquiring Kia Motors Corporation into Hyundai Motor Group

- Spearheading the Group’s growth with new plants in key regions, including United States, Europe, China, India, Brazil and Russia

- Creating a highly efficient, vertically integrated business structure that produces everything from steel to vehicles

The Automotive Hall of Fame was established in 1939 to honor notable business leaders who have contributed significantly to the advancement of the automotive industry and mobility. Chung becomes the first Korean to receive this honour, which was first announced in February 2020. The Automotive Hall of Fame previously honored Chung with its Distinguished Service Citation Award in 2001.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s Automotive Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony celebrated the inductees for the years 2020 and 2021. Inductees announced in 2020 include Thomas Gallagher, former CEO of Genuine Parts Company; Jay Leno, automotive heritage leadership through his Jay Leno’s Garage series on CNBC; and Helene Rother, one of the first women in automotive interior design for General Motors, Nash Motors. The class of 2020 also included Mobility Innovator Awardee Harold Goddijn, CEO and co-founder of TomTom technologies.

Inductees announced in 2021 include C.R. Patterson and Frederick Patterson, leaders of the U.S.’s first and only African American owned auto manufacturer; and Charlie Wiggins, a barrier-breaking motorsports racer and engineer.

During the Induction ceremony, a tribute video was played to show the Honorary Chairman’s accomplishments and contributions to the automotive industry. In the meantime, NEXO and IONIQ 5 were on display to demonstrate Chung’s contribution to spearheading the industry’s efforts to advance hydrogen fuel cell technology and electrification.

The day before the induction ceremony, an engraving of Chairman Chung’s signature was placed on permanent display at the Automotive Hall of Fame along with the signatures of the other inductees.