Hyundai India R&D centre to focus on customisation of cars

Hyundai India’s Research and Development (R&D) centre here will be stepping up its focus on customising its cars to Indian conditions.

“We have significantly contributed to customisation of our new model Creta to suit conditions here and this will go on in the days to come,’’ its Director – HR & General Administration, ES Yoon, told BusinessLine here recently.

Work is on in areas such as water blocking, which prevents water from entering into the engine in water-clogged Indian roads.

The Hyderabad R&D centre is one of the five hubs of Hyundai. The others are located in the US, Germany, China and South Korea.

AVS Ramesh, Assistant General Manager – HR, said from about 100 engineers in 2009, the Hyderabad centre had grown to house 750 engineers who work on virtual models and developing high-end solutions for cars.

The manpower expansion will continue with an intake of about 50 engineers for the next two to three years.

“This year, we have recruited 50 engineers who had attended an induction programme today with their family members. With this, the total headcount goes up to 800,’’ he added.

The newly-hired engineers were from various backgrounds and from across locations.

Family connect As part of the induction, Hyundai organised a family connect programme by inviting parents and other family members of the new employees.

“Generally, after getting a first job, young professionals go home and then come to join. We have also invited their families here to know them,’’ Yoon said.

The rate of attrition was among the lowest in the industry, he claimed.

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