Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun, third from left, pose for a picture during an opening ceremony of HMG Driving Experience Center in Taean, South Chungcheong Province, on Sept. 7. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group

By Kim Jae-heun

Hyundai Motor Group opened the country's largest HMG Driving Experience Center inside Hangkook Tire & Technology's proving ground facility in Taean, South Chungcheong Province, the company said Wednesday.

The local tiremaker established its proving ground facility in May to test its products from Monday to Thursday and lends the venue to the automaker for its customers' test-driving opportunities on Friday and Saturday.

"This center embodies the Hyundai Motor Group's will to realize 'the possibility of future mobility into the daily life of customers,'" Chairman Chung said in his welcoming speech. "We will strive to provide visitors with an innovative driving experience and at the same time contribute to regional development."

The driving experience facility consist of eight courses for testing braking, acceleration, drift, slalom, off-road and three other driving facets.

Hyundai Motor cars drive at the newly opened driving experience center in Taean, South Chungcheong Province, on Sept. 7. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group

Hyundai Motor also erected a 100,223 square-meter-size second-story building at the driving experience center for its customers to try virtual circuit simulator prior to real test-driving. There is also an exhibition space to introduce its new models and concept cars and a rest area for customers to come and enjoy food and drinks.

Apart from the above, HMG Driving Experience Center will provide training programs to its customers from Sept. 16. The training session teaches students from basic skills in driving to high-level techniques. There will be expert drivers to hop in the car with customers to give practical advice while test-driving. This session will be available for approximately 15,000 people annually.

Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor has been making efforts to improve vehicle performance by developing high-performance cars and challenging global motorsports like WRC. The carmaker opened the experience center to promote a better driving culture in the country while building confidence in its vehicles' performance.

Currently, BMW is operating a driving center in Yeongjong Island, Incheon, and Mercedes-Benz is running another facility at Everland Speedway in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, which it rents from Samsung C&T.