The K-Car Wave: Hyundai and Kia Script a New Chapter in India

Every country invested in automotive manufacturing brings with it more than just metal and machinery— they weave a tangible expression of their culture, and a slice of who they are, into the very character of their cars. Italy, famous for its romance and beauty, is known to craft vehicles where every curve is a work of art, a mix of passion with performance.

Hyundai Motor India officials (L-R): CFO Wangdo Hur, COO Tarun Garg, MD Unsoo Kim, and Chief Manufacturing Officer Gopalakrishnan CS.

The Germans, renowned for their precision, offer sleek and modern machines, almost clinical in their perfection. Japanese automakers, by contrast, built their global reputation on reliability, simplicity, and innovative practical-use cars. And then there’s Korea — a country that wasn’t even in the conversation about world class cars, untill a few decades ago.

Hyundai and Kia entered the conversation offering something unexpected: cars that are both affordable and functional, yet aspirational. Think of the Hyundai Creta, a car that quickly became a status symbol in middle-class households, not because it was flashy, but because it had the right balance. With their understanding of what modern consumers want, Korean cars have carved out a space where others stumbled. It’s no accident that their cultural exports — the music, dramas, and fashion — are also winning hearts globally. In a world where cars are as much about lifestyle as about utility, Hyundai and Kia are selling vehicles tailored to India’s sensibilities.

Hyundai's journey has always ...