The South Korean manufacturer started life as a small vehicle repair shop back in 1947. This grew to become the Hyundai Auto Service Centre and in 1967 the Hyundai Motor Company was established. Its first ever car was the Pony built in 1974 though these days the South Korean manufacturer is building a much wider range of cars.

These include the ‘i’ range of hatchbacks with the city i10, the small i20 hatchback and the compact family i30 car. Hyundai also provides family estates including the i30 Tourer and the larger i40 Tourer, which is also available without the estate boot in the form of the i40 saloon.

Hyundai made a name for itself in the UK with its five year protection package including five year unlimited mileage warranty, five year roadside assistance and five year annual car check. This with the launch of new models such as the crossover ix20 and ix35, plus the larger 4×4 Santa Fe.

Hyundai has also ventured into commercial vehicles with the iLoad panel van as well as a passenger version dubbed the i800 estate that seats eight people. The South Korean company has launched alternative fuel car with a hydrogen fuel cell version of its ix35.