Hyundai Motor Group has officially opened its new €150 million Square Campus at the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center (HMETC) in Rüsselsheim, marking a major milestone in the Group’s ongoing commitment to European innovation, sustainable mobility, and engineering excellence.
A New Era of European Automotive Innovation
The Square Campus represents the most significant investment in research and development facilities at HMETC since the Round Campus opened in 2003. This state-of-the-art expansion underlines Hyundai Motor Group’s long-term strategy to develop innovative, market-leading technologies tailored to European customers, while supporting the development of future Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis models.
Tyrone Johnson, Managing Director at Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center, stated:
“The investment at Square Campus is a clear sign of our commitment to the region and reflects the importance of Europe in our long-term growth strategy. The extensive new capabilities at HMETC give us more independence and flexibility, while creating exciting new opportunities for collaboration between our brands. Fundamentally, Square Campus will also support us as we continue to grow our market share in Europe, developing new vehicles and technologies designed around the needs of our customers.”
Advanced Testing and Development Capabilities
Covering 25,000 square meters, the new Square Campus is equipped with some of the most advanced R&D facilities in Europe, including:
- Largest Semi-Anechoic Chamber within Hyundai Motor Group, enabling unrestricted noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) and drive-by noise testing, independent of weather conditions.
- Highly Advanced Dyno Facilities for comprehensive testing of all powertrain types — electric, hybrid, and internal combustion engines (ICE).
- Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Laboratory for next-generation charging systems.
- State-of-the-Art Driving Simulator to test vehicle performance and handling in virtual environments.
- Enhanced Electronics Development Facilities focused on over-the-air (OTA) updates, cybersecurity, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
These cutting-edge resources enable HMETC to test and validate vehicles under real-world conditions, ensuring the development of vehicles that meet the unique expectations of European drivers. The Square Campus complements Hyundai’s global testing network and strengthens collaboration across its international R&D centers.
Sustainability and Collaboration at the Core
The Square Campus is designed with sustainability in mind, incorporating recycled materials, photovoltaic panels, and heat pump systems to reduce environmental impact. This aligns with Hyundai Motor Group’s global vision of achieving zero-tailpipe emissions by 2045 and leading the transition toward sustainable, connected mobility.
The expansion also supports the Group’s growing European R&D workforce. Since 2024, HMETC’s team has grown by 20%, now employing over 500 specialists from diverse engineering disciplines. This investment in talent and technology underscores Hyundai’s dedication to driving innovation through cross-functional collaboration.
Continuous Investment in European Development
The opening of Square Campus follows another major European R&D investment — the expansion of the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center at the Nürburgring. Completed in January 2025 with a €13 million investment, the Nürburgring facility now includes 834m² of new testing areas, specialized laboratories, and dedicated workshop spaces to support vehicle durability and performance testing.
Together, these strategic investments reinforce Hyundai Motor Group’s commitment to European automotive innovation, supporting the development of next-generation vehicles that combine performance, safety, and sustainability.
