It might sound hard to believe, but a year has passed since Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre Singapore, better known as HMGICS, officially opened.
Since then, car buyers and fans alike have come to know that HMGICS is home to Singapore’s first car production facility in over 40 years (44 to be exact). It is also the site where the Ioniq 5 SUV and Ioniq 6 electric sedans are manufactured.
Located at 2 Bulim Link in Jurong, this facility is also the only one which Hyundai produces Ioniq 5 robotaxis that are exported to Motional, a firm in the US providing autonomous ride-hailing and transport services.
Mr Euisun Chung (left) takes a wefie with HMGICS staff.
To mark its first year in operation, HMGICS held a townhall meeting yesterday (12 December) that was attended by Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung.
Accompanying Mr Chung were key executives that included Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, Juncheul Jung, Executive Vice President and Head of Manufacturing for Hyundai Motor Group, Hyun Sung Park, CEO of HMGICS, and Alpesh Patel, Chief Innovation Officer of HMGICS.
During the townhall meeting, the company highlighted its significant achievements, chief of which was the implementation of an automated, cell-based production system. Hyundai says this led to advancements in fields such as logistics, AI, and digital twin technology.
Hyundai says these innovations by HMGICS will eventually be applied to its other global facilities.
With regard to customers, HMGICS introduced Discovery Tours, wherein visitors can experience a 3D virtual reality tour that gives them a behind the scenes look at EV assembly. Reservations can also be made for taxi rides at the facility’s 620m long test track known as the Skytrack, which is located on the building’s rooftop.
Visitors to HMGICS can also see the two-storey smart farm that grows produce used in Na Oh, the in-house restaurant helmed by Chef Corey Lee, who has three Michelin stars.
Addressing the staff, Mr Chung said, “Our journey has been impressive so far, but the best is yet to come. We can meet the challenges ahead, because we are Hyundai. We can meet the challenges because we have what it takes – the right people like you, and our vision of progress for humanity.”
