Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor Group hold 'HMG Appreciation Day' at Seocheon training center in Yongin, elevating their partnership to 'strategic partner and one team' as both conglomerates deepen ties across future mobility, robotics and energy

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Jeon Young-hyun [Samsung Electronics]
Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Jeon Young-hyun [Samsung Electronics]

"Samsung Group and Hyundai Motor Group are steadfast partners who have written the history of Korean industry together." — Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Jeon Young-hyun

Jeon made the remarks Monday in a welcoming address at the "HMG Appreciation Day" event held at Samsung Electronics' Seocheon training center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, where senior Hyundai Motor Group executives were invited as guests of honor.

The two conglomerates agreed to elevate their relationship to that of a "strategic partner" and "one team" as they race to secure a leading position in the future mobility market.

Held under the theme "One Harmony Toward the Future," the event drew 177 attendees in total, including executives, senior managers and their spouses from both groups. The program opened with a video tracing the two companies' history of collaboration and shared vision, followed by a joint performance by the Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra and cellist Han Jae-min.

Samsung was represented by a broad lineup of chief executives from its semiconductor, automotive electronics and components affiliates.

Jeon, who hosted the event, was joined by Roh Tae-moon, president and head of Samsung Electronics' DX Division; Park Yong-in, president and head of the System LSI Business at Samsung Electronics' DS Division; Han Jin-man, president and head of the Foundry Business at Samsung Electronics' DS Division; Choi Won-jun, president and COO of the MX Business at Samsung Electronics' DX Division; Christian Sobotka, president of Samsung Harman; Lee Cheong, president of Samsung Display; Choi Joo-sun, president of Samsung SDI; and Jang Deok-hyun, president of Samsung Electro-Mechanics.

Hyundai Motor Group was represented by Vice Chairman Jang Jae-hoon; Seo Gang-hyun, president in charge of planning and coordination; Manfred Harrer, president and head of the Hyundai and Kia R&D division; Park Min-woo, president and head of the Hyundai and Kia AVP division; Jeong Jun-cheol, president and head of manufacturing; Lee Gyu-bok, president of Hyundai Glovis; and Lee Bo-ryong, president of Hyundai Steel.

In his welcoming address, Jeon said he hoped that "the innovative vision of Hyundai Motor Group, which leads future mobility, and Samsung Group's technological capabilities spanning components to finished products will come together to create new value and open up infinite possibilities."

Jang responded in a reciprocal address, saying the two groups were "expanding the possibilities of cooperation beyond vehicle components such as automotive electronics, audio and batteries, into future industries including robotics and energy." He added that "the strengths each group has built over three generations since our founding can generate even greater synergy when combined," and expressed hope that both sides would "respect each other's strengths, pool our efforts and face the challenges ahead together."

The two companies' cooperation, which began in automotive semiconductors, displays and batteries, has been broadening into future mobility as the era of physical AI takes shape. Samsung set up an exhibition space at the venue to showcase key solutions related to these areas.

Samsung Electronics' DS Division presented its latest automotive semiconductor technologies. Samsung SDI exhibited next-generation, eco-friendly energy solutions for future mobility, including all-solid-state batteries, various battery cells and battery pack modules.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics displayed automotive electronics solutions, including camera modules and multilayer ceramic capacitors for autonomous driving environments. Samsung Display and Samsung Harman introduced next-generation displays and integrated automotive electronics solutions — including central control units and telematics control units — targeting the shift toward software-defined vehicles.

Hyundai Motor Group is the only major Korean conglomerate for which Samsung has held a large-scale invitation event of this kind, a reflection of the long-standing trust and cooperation between the two groups.

That trust dates back to the founding generation. In November 1985, Samsung founder Lee Byung-chul attended the 70th birthday celebration of Hyundai Motor Group founder Chung Ju-yung while battling illness, offering his congratulations and presenting a white porcelain gift.

Samsung's late Chairman Lee Kun-hee also invited then-Hyundai and Kia Chairman Chung Mong-koo to Seungjiwon, Samsung's official guesthouse, for a private meeting in March 2001.

Cooperation on future mobility accelerated under Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung. The two met twice in 2020 — in May at Samsung SDI's Cheonan plant and in July at the Hyundai and Kia Namyang R&D center — to discuss business cooperation including next-generation electric vehicle batteries. The two groups are now elevating what had been affiliate-by-affiliate, project-by-project collaboration into a unified push to lead advanced mobility.

Industry analysts say the cooperation has broadened further as both groups' physical AI businesses have begun to take shape in earnest.

Samsung holds core technologies essential to future mobility, spanning semiconductors, batteries, automotive electronics, displays and electronic components. Hyundai Motor Group, one of the world's three largest automakers, is driving global innovation in electric vehicles, autonomous driving, software-defined vehicles and robotics.

Business community analysts say that combining the two groups' technological strengths and business capabilities is expected to generate synergy in physical AI — a field where AI and robotics are set to transform industrial sites and everyday life alike.


jeongwan@heraldcorp.com