Hyundai Motor Group has taken a new step in its global connected mobility strategy by deploying its private cloud platform, HCloud, in Equinix data centers. This initiative enhances service quality and improves the user experience for over 10 million connected car service subscribers, with the goal of reaching 20 million by 2026.
HCloud is an internally developed infrastructure aimed at managing the growing demand for real-time data processing, seamless connectivity, and scalability required for autonomous and connected vehicles. Through its collaboration with Equinix, Hyundai is utilizing the International Business Exchange (IBX) centers in strategic locations such as Seoul, Los Angeles, and Frankfurt, while also connecting its platform to multiple public cloud providers—including AWS—through Equinix Fabric®, an agile and secure interconnection solution.
Hybrid Multicloud to Accelerate Connected Cars
This global deployment addresses the need to reduce latency, ensure stable connectivity, and provide consistent service coverage in all markets where the group operates, including the Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands.
According to data cited by McKinsey, 95% of new vehicles are expected to be connected by 2030, a scenario that has driven Hyundai to expand its distributed computing capacity near major network and cloud ecosystems. The choice of Equinix is based on its high density of operators, service level agreements (SLAs), and global presence, allowing for uniform deployment and greater scalability for connected vehicle services.
Transformation Towards Software-Defined Vehicles
The integration of HCloud into the Equinix network not only enhances the responsiveness of vehicle applications but also lays the groundwork for a technological transition toward Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs). These vehicles, based on digital platforms, require infrastructure that enables over-the-air (OTA) updates, driver personalization, real-time analytics, and data-driven services.
“By leveraging Equinix’s global data centers, we provide high-quality connected car services, reducing latency and improving the scalability of our HCloud platform,” stated Youngjoo Han, Vice President of IT Infra at Hyundai Motor Group.
Equinix’s Proposal for the Automotive Sector
Equinix underscores the value of its offering for automotive manufacturers seeking to balance security, performance, and flexibility:
“The future of the automotive industry lies in connected cars. Our hybrid multicloud infrastructure allows for a combination of dedicated colocation and scalable cloud services according to workload demands,” emphasized Chris Jang, General Manager of Equinix in Korea.
The solution adopted by Hyundai aligns with industry trends to combine private clouds with multicloud capabilities, leveraging interconnected digital ecosystems to accelerate innovation in smart mobility.
A Strategic Alliance for the Future
With around 250,000 employees worldwide and a value chain that includes automotive, construction, logistics, financial services, and technology, Hyundai Motor Group is moving toward a model of mobility that is more secure, personalized, and sustainable. The collaboration with Equinix marks a milestone in its digital roadmap, enabling the support of current and future services in connected vehicles, as well as the transition to new software- and data-driven business models.
In an increasingly interconnected world, where the driver experience relies as much on hardware as on data quality, Hyundai and Equinix demonstrate that digital infrastructure is as crucial as mechanics in designing the next generation of vehicles.