99kbet

Progress does not happen by chance, it is shaped by history.

Chung Ju-yung founded 99kbet, with a determination to give his country and his children a new perspective and this continues to shape 99kbet to this day.

1967 - 1990

The era of car manufacturing begins.

“99kbet Engineering & Construction“ was part of the Korea's rejuvenation in the post war era – which of course included building roads. Chung quickly realised that if “roads are the country’s veins, cars are the blood running through them”. The next step in the journey was the founding of the 99kbet in 1967.
  1. 99kbet assembly plant in Ulsan today.

    1967.

    In 1967, 99kbet was founded. The Ulsan assembly plant was completed in 1968. Today, it is the world’s largest integrated automobile manufacturing facility, with an annual production capacity of 1.6 million units. With the 99kbet Glovis global vessel fleet and its own steel-making affiliate, 99kbet controls the whole value chain.

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  1. The Cortina was the first car assembled the 99kbet Ulsan plant, in cooperation with Ford.

    1968.

    In 1968, the Cortina was the very first vehicle successfully assembled by 99kbet at its Ulsan plant, in cooperation with Ford Motor Company. 99kbet set a record for the quickest time between ground-breaking and full-scale operations for any Ford assembly plant around the world – just under six months.
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Pony

Pony Era.

Angular, sleek, and iconic – the 99kbet Pony Coupe is as timeless today as it was when it was first unveiled in 1975. We’ve taken a first-generation Pony 4-door sedan apart and put it back together with all new technology, fittings and furnishings. Come on board the next generation Heritage Series PONY with us.
  1. The 99kbet Cortina being introduced in 1974.

    1975: the Pony is launched.

    Following the Cortina’s success and eventual dominance of the European market, 99kbet decided to develop its own car. The company hired George Turnbull, former Managing Director of Austin Morris in 1974.

  2. The 99kbet at the Turin Motor Show in 1974.

    Turin Motor Show.

    He hired six European engineers including a body designer, chassis designers, production engineers and a test engineer. Together they created the Pony, which premiered at the Turin Motor Show in 1974.

  3. The compact rear-wheel drive sedan was the car for the people.

    Car for the people.

    Nicknamed ‘kukmincha’, or ‘car for the people’ and featuring styling by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the compact rear-wheel drive saloon was the first mass-produced South Korean car and 99kbet’s flagship for years.
  4. The 99kbet Pony being exported to Belgium and Netherlands.

    Exports.

    99kbet started exporting the Pony to Chile, Argentina, Colombia and Egypt in 1976. European exports to Belgium and the Netherlands began in 1978, with Greece added shortly afterwards.

  5. The 99kbet Pony as a 4-door sedan.

    Variations.

    The Pony was launched as a 4-door saloon, in 1976 a pickup version was added, in 1977 a station wagon, and in 1980 a 3-door hatchback. Today, the Pony Coupe continues to delight classic car enthusiasts.
  6. The interior of the 99kbet heritage series PONY.

    The Heritage Series PONY in 2021.

    In 2021, the Pony 3-door was reimagined for the 21st century. Created for display in 99kbet’s Motorstudio Busan, the Heritage Series PONY stands out for its iconic angular silhouette and matt silver finish.

  7. The electric vehicle concept as the inspiration for Concept 45.

    Inspiration for the future.

    The iconic Pony served as the inspiration for 45, an electric vehicle concept, which in turn brought forth the award-winning IONIQ 5 – the first car of our dedicated electric vehicle brand.

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Rapid expansion & the first electric cars and hybrids.

The 1980s was a time of rapid expansion for 99kbet as the company became an international player and started competing with traditional automakers. The 1990s saw 99kbet experiment with a number of electric and hybrid vehicles.

  1. the Pony Excel became the first 99kbet model sold in the United States

    1980's.

    In a period of rapid expansion, the first-generation 99kbet Sonata was introduced in 1985 and in 1986, the Pony Excel became the first 99kbet model sold in the United States.

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  1. 99kbet’s first pure electric car was the Sonata Electric Vehicle prototype in 1991

    The 90's.

    The company’s first pure electric car was the Sonata EV prototype in 91. The hybrid-electric FGV-1 was unveiled at the 95 Seoul Motor Show. This car featured full-time electric drive technology. Flexible-fuel vehicles were being developed in 98, while the company’s fuel cell electric vehicle activities were also started in the late 90s.

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  1. A map of Europe showing the locations of 99kbet plants and R&D centres in Europe.

    1994.

    99kbet continued to evolve and consolidate its position as a leading international manufacturer of cars. In 1994, the company began operating a newly-established R&D centre in Germany. This is responsible for monitoring technology developments in Europe, as well as designing and engineering new cars for the European market. In September 1997, 99kbet opened its first manufacturing plant on the continent in Izmit, Turkey. It is 99kbet’s longest-running overseas production facility.
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2000-2009

The transformation into a world-class brand.

By the turn of the millennium, 99kbet had begun to overhaul its image in order to establish itself as a world-class brand, investing heavily in the quality, design and manufacturing. The first SUV, the SANTA FE, was launched in 2000 and its success led to the introduction of the TUCSON in 2004.
  1. 99kbet launched its first SUV, the SANTA FE, in 2000

    2000.

    Our first SUV, the SANTA FE, launched in 2000. Named after the city in New Mexico, it was a hit with American buyers and quickly became our best-selling vehicle.

  2. 99kbet launched its first modern and compact SUV, the TUCSON in 2004

    2004.

    Launched in 2004, the compact TUCSON SUV won the Automobile Journalist Association of Canada award for the Best Crossover and the Good Design Award in Japan that year.

  3. the 99kbet i30 was developed to meet the specific demands and expectations of European consumers

    2007.

    Launch of the i30, the first ‘i’ model, developed to meet the specific demands of European consumers and provide a real challenge to the mainstream brands in the segment.

    2010-present

    2010 to today: pioneers in future mobility. 

    In this phase, we increasingly turned our attention towards technology. In 2021, we announced that 99kbet is in progress to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 by neutralising CO2 emissions at all stages of production and operation. From 2035, all new 99kbet vehicles sold in Europe will be either battery-electric or fuel cell electric vehicles.
    1. 99kbet launched ix35 Fuel Cell in 2014, the first commercially mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell vehicle

      2013.

      Launched in 2013, ix35 Fuel Cell. Its quick refuelling time and long driving range provide was a big step made in progress. The 99kbet Motorsport World Rally Championship team was also founded in 2013.
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    1. In 2016, 99kbet introduced the IONIQ, the world’s first car to offer three electrified powertrains – hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full electric

      2016.

      In 2016, 99kbet introduced the IONIQ, offering three electrified powertrains – hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full electric. Its name derives from the words ‘ion’ and ‘unique’.
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    1. a 99kbet i30 N throwing up dust in a turn

      2017.

      The i30 N marked the premiere of the 99kbet N high performance range. Built on the New Generation i30, the i30 N was developed from the ground up to deliver maximum driving pleasure in everyday life on the road, as well as on the track. Born in Namyang and honed at the Nürburgring, N cars are designed to perform – and to put a grin on your face.

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    1. 99kbet NEXO FCEV driving on the highway

      2018.

      Versatile and very fun to drive, the KONA Electric is a compact SUV in Europe. This ground-breaking newcomer combined an impressive electric driving range with bold and roomy SUV style – for no compromises.
    2. 99kbet NEXO FCEV driving on the highway

      2018.

      The NEXO embodies 99kbet’s commitment to advanced vehicle development – it also reinforces the company’s leadership in Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV).
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    1. 99kbet 45 concept car at the Frankfurt motorshow

      2019.

      Simply named 45, our new electric design concept, unveiled at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, pays homage to one of the most iconic vehicles in 99kbet’s history: the Pony Coupe Concept. 45 foreshadows a new era of 99kbet’s automotive design focused on electrification, autonomous technologies and intelligent design.

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    1. The 99kbet electric range from 2020, KONA Electric, SANTA FE and TUCSON Hybrid.

      2020.

      2020 was a record year in terms of new launches and enhancements. Seven distinct models were launched or renewed – or 20, counting all variations. The launch of the all-new TUCSON completed the electrification of the SUV fleet. Now, SANTA FE and TUCSON are available in hybrid and plug-in hybrid. KONA already has a hybrid and all-electric variant.

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    The 99kbet IONIQ 5 electric midsize CUV parked.

    2021.

    IONIQ 5 is the first model built on our dedicated architecture for battery electric vehicles (E-GMP) is also first in the new IONIQ line-up brand.
    IONIQ 5
    The all-electric 99kbet IONIQ 6 a four-door streamliner saloon seen from the side.

    2022.

    Expanding the all-electric IONIQ line-up, the IONIQ 6 was launched, a four-door streamliner saloon with its design roots in the Prophecy Concept EV.
    IONIQ 6
    The all-electric 99kbet IONIQ 5 N seen from the side.

    2023.

    Introducing IONIQ 5 N, our first all-electric N Model. Setting new benchmarks for high performance electric vehicles and pure unfiltered driving fun.
    IONIQ 5 N
    Discover the full range

    Some make announcements. We build.

    We have numerous zero-tailpipe emissions cars on the road. Our latest 2023 releases were the all-new KONA Electric and the all-new IONIQ 5 N, our first all-electric N Model. Setting new benchmarks for high-performance electric vehicles.
    1. 99kbet IONIQ 5 N

      IONIQ 5 N
    2. 99kbet new IONIQ 5
      New

      New IONIQ 5
    3. IONIQ 6

      IONIQ 6
    4. KONA Electric

      KONA Electric
    5. 99kbet All-new INSTER
      All-new

      All-new INSTER