SEOUL, South Korea – In a remarkable celebration of global automotive excellence, a prestigious delegation from the Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) awards travelled from three continents to South Korea to present the Supreme Winner trophy to Hyundai Motor Company for the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe.
Representing the collective voice of 85 women motoring journalists from 54 countries, the three jurors — Monica Secondino (Italy), Shereen Shabnam (UAE), and Tanya Gazdik (USA) — journeyed to Seoul to honour the brand’s flagship SUV. Their visit was more than ceremonial; it was a deep dive into Hyundai’s cutting-edge design and production ethos, as well as a firsthand encounter with the scale and innovation of the world’s largest automotive production facility.
Global Recognition for Hyundai’s Flagship SUV
After first earning the title of Best Large SUV, the Hyundai Santa Fe was selected as the 2024 WWCOTY Supreme Winner, a recognition that underscores its blend of progressive design, interior versatility, and forward-thinking technology. The award was formally presented to Hae In Kim, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Hyundai Motor Company, during a special ceremony in Seoul.
“This award reflects not only the Santa Fe’s product excellence but also Hyundai’s growing global footprint and innovation leadership,” noted Monica Secondino, founder of Donne in Auto and feature writer for Motor1 Italia and Il Fatto Quotidiano. “To present the trophy here in Seoul, where the Santa Fe’s vision is brought to life, gives the award deeper meaning.”
Immersive Brand Encounters in Seoul
Following the award presentation, the jurors visited the Hyundai Motorstudio Hanam, a cutting-edge brand space within the Starfield Hanam mall. Here, they engaged with senior designer Taewook Choi of the Hyundai exterior design team to better understand the philosophy behind the Santa Fe’s bold redesign — a move that blends rugged utility with refined elegance.
“This space was a window into Hyundai’s design DNA,” said Shereen Shabnam, Editor-in-Chief of Global Trend Monitor. “It was exciting to learn how the exterior design communicates confidence, capability, and a sense of adventure.”
Touring the World’s Largest Car Factory in Ulsan
The journey then shifted to Ulsan, a city synonymous with industrial might, where Hyundai operates the largest automobile plant on the planet. Covering 4.8 million square metres and comprising five independent factories, the Ulsan complex is a feat of scale and efficiency — capable of producing 1.5 million vehicles annually and 5,600 vehicles per day.
In addition to housing its own engine and transmission facilities, the plant includes an on-site port for international shipping — a testament to Hyundai’s vertically integrated manufacturing approach.
“This is more than a production site — it’s a symbol of South Korea’s engineering prowess,” said Tanya Gazdik, automotive editor at MediaPost and contributor to WardsAuto and A Girl’s Guide to Cars. “Touring the plant brought to life the immense scale and dedication behind every Hyundai vehicle.”
Honouring Heritage, Embracing the Future
The visit concluded at the Hyundai Heritage Hall, nestled within the Ulsan Plant’s Culture Center. Here, the jurors explored an exhibition chronicling Hyundai’s journey from a local automaker to a global leader in mobility. The Heritage Hall connects Hyundai’s roots to its future, offering a thoughtful reflection on the brand’s enduring commitment to progress, quality, and innovation.
As the WWCOTY delegation returned home, the message was clear: Hyundai is not only building cars at scale, it is redefining what modern mobility can be — and doing so with vision, resilience, and global recognition.
About Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY):
Founded in 2009, WWCOTY is the only car awards program in the world comprised exclusively of women automotive journalists. It recognises the best cars of the year based on criteria such as safety, innovation, design, efficiency, and value for money — reflecting what matters most to a broad spectrum of drivers.
