Hyundai keeps close eye on writer spies

Hyundai's vast car centre does nothing by halves. Photo / AP

This has to be the definition of frustration: sending a motoring writer through Hyundai's NamYang centre on a bus - without a camera.

Because bustling past are the cars of the future, thinly disguised with canvas and tape, concepts undergoing testing at this vast facility.

But we can't record any of it, or stop the bus to guess at shapes. The penalty for a hidden camera, we are told, will be criminal charges.
Theatrics? No, for this is very big business. The Hyundai Group sold 5.7 million vehicles last year for fourth spot on the manufacturer charts and it's aiming higher. It can't afford secrets to leak.

But what this visit did confirm is that Hyundai has taken a giant step forward in its attitude. Earlier visits to this vast facility revealed a very Korean mindset; this was a company taking Korean cars to the world; a local focus magnified. Today, the Hyundai is thinking global, building world cars that happen to come from Korea, and the sharper focus was evident.

NamYang sprawls over 3,470,000sq m, or 500 soccer fields, housing 10,000 employee. At its heart is the huge test track, with 70km covering 34 road types and 71 surfaces.

Around it are specialised buildings and test areas , including a hot-and-cold chamber that takes a car from -40C to 60C. Hyundai holds two crash tests a day. The dummies can cost $2 million each but fortunately a dummy doctor ensures they'll ride again.