Hyundai Motor Group has taken a significant step towards shaping its future vision by establishing a specialized research center at Oxford University in the UK. The “Oxford-Hyundai Motor Group Future Research Center” was officially inaugurated on July 8 at Oxford Convocation House, marking a new chapter in the collaboration between the automotive giant and the prestigious academic institution.
The opening ceremony saw the attendance of key figures from both Hyundai Motor Group and Oxford University. Among the attendees were Kim Kyeon, Vice President and Head of HMG Management Research Institute, Kim Heung-soo, Vice President and Head of Global Strategy Office (GSO), Sumitra Dutta, Dean of Oxford Business School, Jonathan Reynolds, Vice Dean, and renowned professors Rafael Ramirez and Trudi Lang. The event underscored the importance of this partnership in driving forward-looking research and strategic planning.
Oxford University, known for its academic excellence and innovative research, brings its proprietary “Oxford Scenario Planning Approach (OSPA)” to the table. This methodology is designed to help organizations navigate uncertain futures by exploring various plausible scenarios and their potential impacts. Hyundai Motor Group aims to leverage this expertise to proactively respond to geopolitical changes and risk factors in future society.
Kim Kyeon emphasized the significance of the new center, stating, “The Oxford-Hyundai Motor Group Future Research Center will be pivotal in deriving key agendas to address the challenges and opportunities of the future.” This sentiment was echoed by Kim Heung-soo, who highlighted the group’s commitment to conducting innovative and original research to secure competitiveness and realize a desirable future for human progress.
The establishment of the Future Research Center is part of Hyundai Motor Group’s broader strategy to utilize its open innovation network in major countries, including the United States, China, India, and Singapore. By fostering global collaborations, the group aims to expand the ecosystem necessary to achieve its future vision.
Professors Rafael Ramirez and Trudi Lang, both appointed as heads of the Future Research Center, bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the initiative. Professor Ramirez is a world-renowned authority in future scenario planning research, while Professor Lang has served as a strategic foresight program advisor at the World Economic Forum and a future strategy advisor at the OECD Secretary-General’s office.
Hyundai Motor Group, a South Korean multinational conglomerate, is one of the largest car manufacturers in the world. The group has been increasingly focusing on innovation, sustainability, and future mobility solutions, including electric vehicles (EVs) and autonomous driving technologies. The collaboration with Oxford University aligns with the group’s vision to stay ahead of potential challenges and leverage opportunities in the global market.
Oxford University, with its long history of academic excellence and research innovation, is an ideal partner for Hyundai Motor Group. The university’s Saïd Business School, renowned for its business education and research, has developed the OSPA methodology, which will be instrumental in guiding the group’s strategic planning and decision-making processes.
The current status of the Future Research Center is one of anticipation and excitement, with both Hyundai Motor Group and Oxford University looking forward to the innovative research and strategic insights that will emerge from this collaboration. Future developments are expected to include groundbreaking research projects and strategic initiatives that will shape the future of the automotive industry and beyond.