Hyundai AutoEver Invests $80M+ in Saemangeum AI Data Center, GPUaaS

Hyundai AutoEver is entering the GPU-as-a-service (GPUaaS) business. In a filing on October 30, the company said it will invest 114.608 billion won (about 114.6 billion won in round terms) in a new joint venture, tentatively named HMG AI Factory, for a 26% stake.

The company will acquire 1,146,080 shares. The investment equals 6.1% of its consolidated equity as of last year. The venture is due to be established in November, and Hyundai AutoEver will pay in capital in six installments from this year through 2031. The final acquisition date is December 31, 2031, and the schedule and stake may change as the project progresses.

Two entities, one project

Hyundai Motor Group is splitting the project in two. In November it will set up one special-purpose company to build the data center and its infrastructure, and another to procure GPUs and run the service. Hyundai AutoEver is joining the GPU service company. Hyundai Motor, Kia, Hyundai Mobis, Hyundai Engineering & Construction and Hyundai AutoEver are the five affiliates the group confirmed as participants.

HMG AI Factory will secure and operate AI computing infrastructure at the Saemangeum site. It plans to offer GPUaaS and cloud computing so companies can use GPUs as needed instead of buying them. Until the data center is finished, GPU services will run from other locations.

Timeline and open questions

The group aims to break ground on the data center in March 2027 and begin formal service in early 2030. It wants the capacity to support its physical AI work in autonomous driving, robotics and manufacturing AI. The facility is part of a roughly 9 trillion won Saemangeum AI Valley plan that also includes a robot manufacturing cluster, solar power and clean hydrogen production.

For Hyundai AutoEver, the move extends its role beyond system integration, IT outsourcing and vehicle software into managing high-performance computing resources. Details such as GPU volumes, early operating models and the split between internal and external customers have not been disclosed. Roles and the operating structure should become clearer as the venture is formed.

Shin Seung-gyu, vice president of Hyundai Motor Group, said the group will first build an AI data center in Saemangeum to accumulate and train on large-scale data for autonomous driving and physical AI.