Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Hyundai Motor takes 1st step to expand air mobility business in Southeast Asia
Shin Jai-won, left, president and head of Hyundai Motor Group's Advanced Air Mobility Division and Bambang Susantono, head of the Nusantara Capital City Authority, pose after signing an agreement to cooperate in the advanced air mobility business, in Bali, Indonesia, Monday. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group
By Baek Byung-yeul
By Baek Byung-yeul
Hyundai Motor Group took its first step in advancing into Southeast Asia's air mobility (AAM) market by agreeing to establish a state-of-the-art transportation ecosystem in Indonesia's new capital, according to the group, Monday.
The automotive group signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the project at the Business 20 (B20) Summit in Bali, Indonesia. Hyundai said the MOU was signed by Shin Jai-won, president and head of the group's Advanced Air Mobility Division, and Indonesian government officials including Bambang Susantono, head of the Nusantara Capital City Authority.
“The MOU aims to introduce AAM as part of a smart mobility ecosystem in the new capital city that Indonesia is working to establish. The group plans to develop a roadmap and review the concept of consolidated mobility for ground and air while carrying out an AAM demonstration project and test flights,” Hyundai Motor Group said in a statement.
“We value Hyundai Motor Group's cooperation in developing Nusantara as a smart and sustainable city,” Susantono said, explaining why Nusantara, which will become the country's new capital in 2024, decided to cooperate with the Korean automotive giant.
Indonesia has the largest aviation market in Southeast Asia. In the process of relocating the capital, the government there seeks to build a smart mobility ecosystem.
A UAM concept model developed by Supernal, Hyundai Motor Group's urban air mobility (UAM)-specialized subsidiary, is displayed at the Farnborough International Airshow in the U.K., July 18. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group
In line with that need, Hyundai Motor Group, which is actively trying to improve its capability in urban air mobility (UAM) services, aims to increase its presence in the Southeast Asian market through the joint project.
“Our cooperation with the Indonesian government is the embodiment of Hyundai Motor Group's commitment to bring the vision to life, to contribute to a better future for Indonesia,” Shin said.
Earlier this year, Hyundai Motor Group announced its AAM development roadmap, which encompasses the UAM and regional air mobility (RAM) segments. The group's U.S.-based Supernal unit aims to begin UAM services in the U.S. in 2028. RAM services are expected to start in the 2030s.