Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center in Singapore (HMGICS), visited on the 5th of this month (local time). Although it is a production base with two underground floors and seven above-ground floors and a total floor area of 90,000 ㎡, the interior has been designed to resemble a vast exhibition hall. On the 3rd floor, an IONIQ 5 electric vehicle bearing both the Singaporean and Vatican flags is on display. It is the “Popemobile,” the dedicated papal vehicle used by Pope Francis, who passed away last year, during his 2024 visit to Singapore.

● “Innovation technology from Singapore to be disseminated worldwide”

Located in the Jurong Innovation District, a smart industrial complex in western Singapore, HMGICS is regarded as a symbol of close collaboration between Korea and Singapore, as exemplified by this vehicle. Opened in November 2023, the facility directly produces Hyundai Motor Group’s major electric vehicles such as the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV5, while simultaneously leading research and development (R&D) in smart manufacturing innovation.

The most eye-catching feature is the production system that utilizes a total of 28 independent “cells” and the quadruped walking robot “Spot.” By using cells instead of conveyor belts, it enables a flexible, multi-model production system while also incorporating physical artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Hyundai Motor Group has expanded the technologies accumulated here to Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia, United States.

The establishment of HMGICS, Singapore’s first and only electric vehicle production base, is known to reflect strongly the commitment of Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun. An official from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Singapore explained, “For Hyundai Motor Group, this is a ‘win-win’ model that allows it to test new technologies free from regulatory constraints, while Singapore gains experience in advanced automobile production methods of a global company.”

● Status to be strengthened as it assumes ASEAN chairmanship next year

Positioning itself as a small but strong nation and an Asian hub for global companies, Singapore is one of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states where cooperation with Korea is expected to grow further.

In practice, the Ministry of Science and ICT recently held the “1st Korea-Singapore Joint Committee on Science and Technology” with Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, designating biotechnology and semiconductors as key cooperation areas. Korea and Singapore, which is home to universities with world-class capabilities, will conduct joint research over the next three years starting next year, thereby strengthening cooperation.

Against this backdrop, Singapore is set to assume the ASEAN chairmanship next year, when ASEAN marks its 60th anniversary, and is preparing to play an active, leading role in the bloc. Kim Jae-shin, Secretary General of the ASEAN-Korea Centre, stated, “Singapore well illustrates the direction of ASEAN-Korea cooperation based on innovative technologies,” adding, “There is a need to expand future-oriented cooperation with other ASEAN member states as well.”

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