Hyundai Wia Expands Automotive Thermal Management System Business... "Supplying HEV Air Conditioning Systems in 2027"

Hyundai Wia is expanding its automotive integrated thermal management system business by developing climate control systems not only for electric vehicles, but also for internal combustion engine and hybrid vehicles.

On December 12, Hyundai Wia announced that it held a 'Thermal Management System Mass Production Ceremony' at Hyundai Wia Changwon Plant 1 in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do, on the previous day, December 11. This event commemorated 100 days since the start of mass production for Hyundai Wia’s integrated thermal management system for electric vehicles (EVs). Since July, Hyundai Wia has been producing integrated thermal management systems for electric vehicles and supplying them to Kia’s purpose-built vehicle (PBV) PV5.

Kwon Ohseong, CEO of Hyundai Wia, stated, "After years of effort, Hyundai Wia has established itself as a strong contender in the global automotive climate control market," adding, "To become a 'first mover' in the field of mobility thermal management, we will accelerate technology development and build a robust supply chain ecosystem together with our partners."

Hyundai Wia CEO Kwon Ohseong delivers a commemorative speech at the 'Thermal Management System Mass Production Ceremony' held on the 11th at Hyundai Wia Changwon Plant 1 in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do. Provided by Hyundai Wia

원본보기 아이콘

Since the second half of this year, Hyundai Wia has independently developed and begun mass production of its integrated thermal management system. In particular, the company has manufactured the 'HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Unit),' a key component of climate control systems, in-house. The HVAC is the most important part of the thermal management system, adjusting the temperature of outside air to provide optimal conditions inside the vehicle. Hyundai Wia has also developed and is mass-producing a cooling module that chills air and coolant.

Hyundai Wia has also succeeded in developing a thermal management system specialized for electric vehicles. Unlike internal combustion engine vehicles, electric vehicles lack a separate heat source, requiring a more complex system. To address this, Hyundai Wia developed an 'electric compressor' that compresses low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant into high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant for circulation, as well as an 'indoor condenser' that exchanges refrigerant with outside air for heating. Additionally, considering the increased number of components compared to internal combustion engine climate control systems, Hyundai Wia optimized the package by modularizing the thermal management system.

Hyundai Wia is actively expanding its thermal management system business. Beyond supplying the current Kia PV5, the company plans to supply its systems to Kia’s large PBV, the PV7, scheduled for mass production in 2027, and will enter the market for internal combustion engine climate control systems in the future. Starting in 2027, Hyundai Wia plans to develop climate control systems applicable to internal combustion engine and hybrid models and supply them to Hyundai Motor Company.

To this end, Hyundai Wia is continuously expanding its production infrastructure for thermal management systems. In the second half of this year, the company installed new manufacturing facilities for climate control components on a 12,131-square-meter (approximately 3,670 pyeong) site within Changwon Plant 1, where it produces parts such as heat exchangers and tubes. Additionally, Hyundai Wia expanded its production facilities for coolant and refrigerant modules in another 10,267-square-meter (approximately 3,106 pyeong) factory within Changwon Plant 1. The company’s goal is to establish overseas bases capable of mass-producing integrated thermal management systems to meet global demand in the future.

Kwon Oh-sung, CEO of Hyundai Wia (center), and employees are taking a commemorative photo with key attendees at the "Thermal Management System Mass Production Ceremony" held on the 11th at Hyundai Wia Changwon Plant 1 in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do. Provided by Hyundai Wia

원본보기 아이콘

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.