In San Leandro, California, on May 30, 2023, new Hyundai cars were showcased at the San Leandro Hyundai sales lot, as depicted in Getty Images. According to industry data released on Sunday, exports of hybrid cars by Hyundai Motor Co. and its affiliate Kia Corp. surged by 35.2 percent year-on-year in the first seven months of the current year. The Korea Automobile & Mobility Association's data revealed that a total of 222,818 hybrid vehicles were exported by Hyundai Motor and Kia between January and July, marking a significant increase from the 164,851 units exported during the same period last year. Notably, Hyundai Motor witnessed a substantial 58.3 percent year-on-year surge in hybrid vehicle exports, reaching 141,032 units. During an investor briefing last week, Hyundai Motor CEO Chang Jae-hoon announced the company's intention to enhance its internally developed hybrid systems to better cater to the growing demand for hybrid vehicles. Chang highlighted Hyundai Motor's plans to broaden the availability of its hybrid system, which was previously predominantly offered in compact and mid-sized vehicles, to encompass a wider range of models.