Hyundai Motor said that Executive Chair Euisun Chung visited Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Middle East (HMMME) on Oct. 26 (local time) to review the progress of the new plant’s construction and assess the company’s sales strategy in Saudi Arabia. The photo shows a view of the HMMME facility. (Photo provided by Hyundai Motor and Kia)
SEOUL, Oct. 28 (Korea Bizwire) – Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh this week, as the South Korean auto maker looks to deepen ties in one of the Middle East’s fastest-growing car markets.
The two discussed cooperation in automotive manufacturing and smart-city development during their bilateral meeting Monday, Hyundai said. It was their first face-to-face since the crown prince’s 2022 visit to Seoul.
Hyundai is building Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Middle East, a joint-venture plant with the Public Investment Fund, slated to begin production in late 2026. The factory’s initial output target is 50,000 vehicles a year, but Chung signaled capacity could rise if demand strengthens.
“We are preparing a facility tailored to Saudi Arabia’s industrial needs and customers,” he told executives. “Expansion will be considered as market conditions evolve.”
Hyundai Motor Group Chair Euisun Chung (C) speaks during his visit to the construction site of the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Middle East (HMMME) at the King Salman Automotive Cluster in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), Saudi Arabia, on Oct. 26, 2025, in this photo provided by the company. (Yonhap)
The visit aligns with Crown Prince Mohammed’s Vision 2030 agenda, which aims to diversify the oil-dependent economy by attracting high-tech manufacturing and clean-energy investment. Chung said Hyundai sees room for cooperation in renewable energy and hydrogen businesses as well.
Chung toured the construction site in King Abdullah Economic City with Hyundai CEO José Muñoz, urging staff to brace for a launch in a challenging operational environment of extreme heat and desert conditions.
Hyundai and Kia have been gaining ground in Saudi Arabia, with the group expecting sales to reach about 210,000 vehicles next year, up nearly 6% from 2024. The companies have also been expanding eco-friendly offerings in the kingdom, including a deal with NEOM to develop mobility services and Kia’s rollout of its PV5 purpose-built vehicle program.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
