Hyundai Motor, Kia to reorganize R&D division focusing on software

[Photo by Lee Chung-woo]

Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp. will overhaul their hardware-focused research and development (R&D) division to one that is dedicated to software. The move is seen as an effort to develop more software-defined vehicles (SDVs).

“We will turn our R&D division into a team of software engineers specialized in developing autonomous vehicles and other cutting-edge innovations in the coming reshuffle,” the automakers said on Thursday.

The reshuffle is aimed at seeking a more focused approach to electrification and SDV.

So far, the workforce has been scattered across several divisions, such as 42dot, SDV division, and the Global Strategy Office (GSO), being blamed for causing R&D inefficiency.

Hyundai Motor and Kia did not include details on the organizational reshuffle but industry insiders noted that they may separate the software team from the R&D division to turn it into a new unit dedicated to innovative development. The unit will likely cooperate with 42dot and the SDV division to leverage their software capabilities.

The reshuffle will likely empower 42dot and the SDV division, both of which have been under the leadership of Song Chang-hyun, chief executive of 42dot and head of the SDV division. Song, former chief technology officer at Naver Corp., is known as a software expert.