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Hyundai Named OEM of the Year at Automotive Tech Week
The winner was chosen to recognize how the world is changing and which automaker is learning and adapting the fastest.
November 24, 2021
2 Min Read
Hyundai's Byungho Lee (left) receives OEM of the Year trophy from Amine Smires (center) and Vincent Besselat, both from CS Group.Brett McDonald
For making massive strides in product quality, technology and styling in recent years, Hyundai Motor was named OEM of the Year by Informa Tech Automotive Group during a ceremony last week in Novi, MI, at Automotive Tech Week.
Drew Winter, senior analyst and community manager for ITAG, hosted the ceremony for the Informa Tech Automotive Awards, which honored the auto industry’s most promising suppliers, startups, mobility products, software, infotainment products, cybersecurity technology and more.
The winner of the last award of the night, OEM of the Year, was selected by Wards and TU Automotive editors and analysts with expertise in engines, battery and electrification technology, electronic architectures, ADAS, autonomy, user experience and connectivity. Informa Tech Automotive Group includes WardsAuto, Wards Intelligence and TU Automotive.
Winter said the winner was chosen to recognize how the world is changing and which automaker is learning and adapting the fastest.
The judges selected the South Korean automaker for the award, citing its:
Across-the-board product success with all its vehicle brands.
Phenomenal product improvements and reach into younger market segments.
Proactive development of bleeding-edge technologies related to ADAS, AVs and EVs.
Newest EV that will be one of the very first autonomous vehicles to go into series production.
Acquisition of Boston Dynamics, arguably the most innovative robotics company in the world.
Promotion of women and people of color into high-level positions.
Work toward supply-chain stability with its own steel company and plans to develop its own silicon with affiliated companies.
Accepting the award was Byungho Lee, director of propulsion systems at the Hyundai Kia America Technical Center near Ann Arbor, MI, who joked that he wished he could bring Spot, the robot dog, to join in accepting the award. Spot is built by Boston Dynamics.
Also during Automotive Tech Week, Hyundai won two Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems trophies (for Kona BEV and Santa Fe 2.5L turbo-4), as well as a Wards 10 Best Interiors award (for Tucson) and a Wards 10 Best UX trophy (for Elantra).
Speaking of the powertrain awards, Lee said, “These accolades reinforce Hyundai’s leadership in global powertrain advancements towards eco-friendly mobility.”
Formerly known as the TU-Automotive Awards, the Informa Tech Automotive Awards were presented in 17 categories. Finalists in those categories were determined by Wards and TU editors and analysts, and winners were selected by a panel of independent judges.
For a complete list of award winners, please visit: https://wardsauto.informa.com/informa-tech-automotive-awards/.
Byungho Lee
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