Pony

In 1974, when Hyundai Motor was still in its early days of vehicle production, the company’s executives contacted Giorgetto Giugiaro to propose work on designing Hyundai’s first independent model and Korea’s first mass-produced car. At the time, there was no vehicle design and styling capability in Korea, so Hyundai Motor commissioned Giugiaro to design, make blueprints and build five prototypes.

Chassis and mechanical assemblies from the Mitsubishi Lancer were to be used as a basis, and the product had to be readied for volume production at the lowest possible cost. Chung wanted to call it Pony to conjure up the picture of a sympathetic small horse almost as attractive as a foal, but strong and reliable. Giugiaro gave the Pony a contemporary look without over-emphasizing any futuristic features.

While developing the Pony, Giugiaro also worked on its own initiative on a 2+2 Coupe with elegant, inspired visual features. It was intended to polish up the image of the new brand and, at President Chung's wish, be named simply Hyundai Pony Coupe.

In the process of designing and prototyping, Hyundai decided to show the Pony and Pony Coupe at the Turin Motor Show to promote the brand’s debut in the global market, in the presence of the Korean ambassador and in a grand ceremony. The overall reaction at the motor show was definitely positive: the international media became aware that a new manufacturer was now active in Korea and was clearly determined to play an important role on the international scene.