Hyundai Motor Accelerates its Global Sustainability Strategy

The ongoing shift to electrified transport has cast a spotlight on the sustainability credentials of major car manufacturers.

Hyundai Motor Company is on a mission to become a smart mobility solutions provider. 

As part of its long-term corporate strategy, the company is embedding ESG frameworks across its value chain and operations.

The car manufacturer highlights significant progress throughout its manufacturing and sales operations during 2026, aligning its business practices with tighter international regulations and environmental standards. 

The manufacturer has successfully achieved its RE100 targets across its key production facilities in Europe, North America and India. This means that 100% of electricity for these sites is sourced from renewable sources. 

In North America, the company secured a 147MW photovoltaic power purchase agreement for its new Metaplant America facility in Georgia, which will lower operational carbon emissions and increase energy security. 

Hyundai is also advancing its battery circularity capabilities by establishing a closed-loop recycling system for end-of-life electric vehicle batteries. 

This will see raw materials, such as lithium, cobalt and nickel, reclaimed from end-of-life battery packs and fed back into manufacturing, reducing the demand for virgin materials.

"At the heart of Hyundai's vision is our commitment to sustainability. As an engineer, I believe in the power of data to inform decisions,” says José Muñoz, CEO at Hyundai.

“Numbers are a universal language that transcends barriers, allowing us to measure our progress and hold ourselves accountable. Our Sustainability Report provides a snapshot of our performance in categories critical to our governance and to future generations."

Strengthening social responsibility

Elsewhere, the company focuses on workplace safety standards and product responsibility. 

It launched its 2030 Safety Management Strategy to establish zero-harm manufacturing environments through enhanced site inspections and targeted investments. 

To support its workforce during the transition toward electrification and greater use of AI, the manufacturer has introduced an initiative that provides comprehensive reskilling programmes to help with employee security across its facilities.

"Our success begins with our people. We've built a global team that is dedicated, diverse, and driven to excel every day,” says José. 

“While we have made considerable progress in nurturing a culture of inclusivity and building a leadership team with diverse backgrounds, there are many opportunities to improve, particularly for women in leadership roles globally."

Evolution of corporate governance

Hyundai has also implemented structural changes to improve the inclusive leadership of its board of directors. 

Of the 12 board directors, the company now retains four female directors and three international directors. 

Financially, a new programme guarantees a minimum total shareholder return of 35% for the 2025–2027 period to maximise corporate value and build stakeholder confidence. 

"At Hyundai, we do not assume progress is inevitable. It has to be earned, year after year, through consistent and decisive action,” José adds.

“Sustainability is a core part of our transformation into a high-technology mobility company. This report is our accounting of 2025, the progress of our teams, and the work that still lies ahead. 

“We are proud of how far we have come, and clear about how much further we have to go. We will continue to do more this year and beyond."