Have Hyundai Motor and Kia Unveiled a New Research Hub?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Hyundai and Kia have launched a public research hub in Seoul.
- The hub focuses on user experience design for future mobility.
- It features an Open Lab and an Advanced Research Lab.
- Hyundai's sales increased by 1.5% in June.
- Domestic and international demands are driving sales growth.
Seoul, July 2 (NationPress) Hyundai Motor and Kia announced on Wednesday the inauguration of an open research hub located in southern Seoul, designed to invite public engagement in shaping the user experience (UX) for future mobility solutions.
The newly established facility, dubbed UX Studio Seoul, replaces the earlier UX Studio that was introduced in 2021, offering improved accessibility to better convey the brands' fundamental principles in UX design, according to Yonhap news agency.
The previous venue served mainly as a private collaboration hub for researchers focused on product planning, design, and engineering. In contrast, UX Studio Seoul aims to create a more open and interactive setting.
This state-of-the-art facility features two primary areas: the first-floor Open Lab, where visitors can explore UX exhibition content and take part in research activities, and the second-floor Advanced Research Lab, which offers an immersive environment for comprehensive UX development.
Guests will have the chance to delve into various future mobility concepts, participate in preliminary UX research, and witness how user feedback plays a role in the vehicle development process, as stated by the companies.
In other news, Hyundai Motor reported a sales increase of 1.5 percent in June compared to the previous year, driven by heightened demand both domestically and internationally.
The company sold 358,891 vehicles last month, a rise from 353,566 units a year prior, as mentioned in a press release.
Domestic sales climbed 3.8 percent from 59,804 to 62,064 units, while international sales saw a 1 percent gain, increasing from 353,566 to 358,891.
"Sales surged both at home and abroad due to the broadened availability of various models," a company spokesperson stated, adding, "We are committed to sustaining sales momentum by rolling out competitive new vehicles in the future."
From January to June, total sales inched up by 0.1 percent to 2,066,425 vehicles, compared to 2,063,844 during the same timeframe last year.