Hyundai Wia develops 4-wheel based driving system

Hyundai Wia, an auto-part maker and an affiliate of Hyundai Motor Group, has achieved localization of the all-wheel driving system (AWD) for the Stinger, a new sports performance sedan by Kia Motors.

On Monday, Hyundai Wia announced that it has entered the phase of mass production after finishing the development of Active Transfer Case (ATC), a rear heel based electronic AWD system.

ATC is a part that partially transfers power from rear to front, thereby powering the four wheels. While the local manufacturers had to depend on imports entirely for their demand for the part so far, Hyundai Wia has successfully developed the ATC for the first time in Korea.

The Korean auto-part maker also said their ATC is well equipped to compete with foreign products in terms of performance as well. The efficiency for power transfer from rear to front was maximized to prevent energy loss, and noise was also minimized. Mass production will be implemented at Hyundai Wia’s Changwon 2 Factory in South Gyeongsang Province, with an estimated number of units produced every year standing at 40,000 and over 17.8 million dollars of annual sales projected.

Eun-Taek Lee nabi@donga.com