Hyundai Motor Group plans to establish a battery research and development (R&D) facility in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, marking the first time the South Korean automotive giant is setting up operations in the city. Industry sources revealed on Thursday that the company is currently in discussions with Anseong city authorities regarding the development of the R&D center in the Anseong Industrial Complex.
The initial investment for the project is estimated to be in the hundreds of billions of won, with the first phase of completion anticipated around 2027. This new facility will focus on researching, developing, and testing electric vehicle batteries utilizing Hyundai's proprietary technology.
The Anseong center is set to become Hyundai's fourth major R&D hub, joining its existing facilities in Namyang, Mabuk, and Uiwang. This move is seen as part of Hyundai's broader strategy to internalize battery technology as the industry shifts towards electric vehicles.
The facility will be involved in battery design and the production of test products. Additionally, Hyundai is exploring a "battery fabless" approach, which emphasizes design specialization in the mid- to long-term. Despite these plans, a Hyundai Motor Group official stated that no final decisions have been made regarding the expansion of the facility.