The Hyundai Group (meaning "modern" in Korean), founded by Chung Ju-yung in 1947 as a construction company, was once South Korea's biggest conglomerate (chaebol). The company was split into five business entities on April 1, 2003 including Hyundai Motor Group, Hyundai Group, Hyundai Department Store Group and Hyundai Development Group.

Before restructuring began in 2000, Hyundai's major areas of activity included shipbuilding, car manufacture, construction, retailing, finance, and electronics. After its founder died in 2001, the component companies of Hyundai were split off into separate companies. Although divested of most of the high-profile Hyundai assets, the Hyundai Group still operates. Its most high-profile operation is Hyundai Asan, involved in numerous investment projects in North Korea. Other prominent assets include Hyundai Elevator, Hyundai Merchant Marine, Hyundai Logistics, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hyundai Corporation, Hyundai Construction and Hyundai Securities. The current CEO is Hyun Chung-eun, widow of the late chairman Chung Mong-hun. Hyundai is also known for the manufacturing of motor vehicles in several countries; the U. S. has been a source market for these cars.

The Hyundai logo is also symbolic of the company's desire to expand. The ovaloid shape indicates the company's global expansion and the slanted, stylized 'H' is symbolic of two people (specifically the company and customer) shaking hands.

In November of 2005, Hyundai pioneered a communications breakthrough by allowing Ed Voyles Hyundai in Smyrna, Georgia to become the first "deaf friendly" dealership in the entire world. The staff in this dealership are able to accomodate deaf customers with the use of American Sign Language and video conferencing phones. Unfortunately, automobile dealerships are not required to hire interpreters for customers, and Hyundai had the foresight to hire competent staff to accomodate the deaf and hearing impaired.