Hyundai Motor Restores Iconic “Pony Coupe Concept” for Commemorative Event in Seoul
Key Highlights :
Hyundai Motor, Korea’s largest automaker, recently held a commemorative event in Seoul for the unveiling of the restored “Pony Coupe Concept”, the company’s first independent model that achieved significant success. The Pony Coupe made its global debut at the 1974 Turin Motor Show in Italy and had been faithfully reproduced in its original form.
The restoration project of the Pony Coupe was undertaken by Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun, the grandson of the company’s founder, Chairman Chung Ju-yung. Designers Giorgio Giugiaro and his son Fabrizio Giugiaro were entrusted with the restoration work, which faithfully reproduced the body, engine and interior exactly as they appeared in 1974.
The Pony’s origin can be traced back to Chairman Chung Ju-yung, who personally visited Turin, Italy and sought out Giorgio Giugiaro, an esteemed designer, to design a car for Hyundai. Upon its release, the Pony achieved remarkable success, capturing a 44 percent market share in the domestic market in 1976 and becoming the first Korean-made car to be exported.
At the event, Executive Chair Chung Euisun talked about the history of the Pony Coupe Concept and reflected on the past journey of Hyundai Motor Group. He expressed his commitment to carrying forward Chairman Chung Ju-yung’s human-centered philosophy and Chairman Chung Mong-koo’s emphasis on quality and fundamentals to continue progressing towards a better life through future mobility.
The “Pony’s Time” exhibition at Hyundai Motorstudio Seoul showcases the Pony, and various Pony derivatives, such as the Pony Pickup and Pony Wagon, as well as the IONIQ 5 EV and the N Vision 74 fuel cell sports car, both inspired by the Pony and the Pony Coupe, respectively. The exhibition will be open for public viewing from June 9 to Aug. 6.
