• 69^th in 2009 Best Global Brands survey by BusinessWeek / Interbrand
• Moves up 3 places
• Hyundai’s global brand value surpasses well-known competitors

The Hyundai brand continues its upward march by ranking 69^th, up three notches from 2008, in the 2009 Best Global Brands survey jointly conducted by Interbrand, a leading consultancy in branding, and BusinessWeek, the New York-based global business media organization.

While the average brand value for automotive industries declined by 7.4 percent amid the global economic downturn, Hyundai saw a milder decline of five percent at $4.6 billion, the smallest drop among automobile companies.

“Thanks to eye-catching products like Genesis and innovative marketing such as the Assurance program, Hyundai is making a big splash in the world market,” Interbrand said.

Hyundai made its debut on the annual Best Global Brands list in 2005 in 84^th place. Since then, Hyundai has registered steady annual growth in its brand value as measured on a global basis.  In the latest survey, Hyundai ranked 8th overall among global automakers, surpassing several prominent competitor brands including Porsche, Lexus and Nissan.

The automaker has witnessed a rapid rise on the global stage thanks to continuous quality improvements and design of its vehicles. Management’s globalization efforts have greatly contributed to Hyundai’s rapid rise by establishing a manufacturing foothold in the key emerging markets of India and China where Hyundai has enjoyed early success.

Interbrand (www.interbrand.com), the leading brand consultancy and authors of the annual ranking of “The Best Global Brands” in partnership with BusinessWeek was founded in 1974. Interbrand has offices in over 30 cities in more than 20 countries around the globe and clients from among the most respected businesses.

BusinessWeek is a leading global business media organization which was founded in 1929 and is published by the McGraw-Hill Companies, BusinessWeek has more than 4.8 million readers each week in 140 countries. Local language editions include Chinese, Russian, and Bahasa Indonesian.

HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY

Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Co. has grown into the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group which was ranked as the world’s fifth-largest automaker since 2007 and includes over two dozen auto-related subsidiaries and affiliates.  Employing over 75,000 people worldwide, Hyundai Motor sold approximately 2.8 million vehicles globally in 2008, posting sales of US$25.6 billion on a non-consolidated basis (using the average currency exchange of 1257.5 won per US dollar).  Hyundai vehicles are sold in 193 countries through some 6,000 dealerships and showrooms. Further information about Hyundai Motor and its products are available at http://www.hyundai.com

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 790 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by The Hyundai Advantage, America’s Best Warranty. In addition, the Hyundai Assurance Program is now offered on all new vehicles leased or purchased from a certified Hyundai dealer. The program is available to any consumer, regardless of age, health, employment record or financed amount of the vehicle. The program is complimentary for the first 12 months.