PLI proposal: Hyundai says Hyundai Global Motors is not its arm

Senior government officials told ET that a team has been set up to consider the representation made by Hyundai Motor, which has accused Hyundai Global Motors of wrongly utilising its trademark, tradename and logo, and making misrepresentations before authorities in the country.

“The matter is under review. We are consulting with the legal team. A decision will be taken shortly,” one of the officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Hyundai Motor, along with its subsidiary Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL), has intimated the government that Hyundai Global Motors is not a subsidiary, group company or an affiliate of either of them.

In March, four companies –

, Hyundai Global Motors, Ola Electric Mobility and New Solar Energy – were selected as beneficiaries under the Rs 18,100 crore PLI scheme for advanced chemistry cell battery storage. Another five companies – Mahindra & Mahindra, , Larsen & Toubro, , – were put on waitlist.

In the event Hyundai Global Motors is disqualified, the next company on waitlist is likely to get its slot, said a person aware of the matter.

Hyundai Global Motors, also based in South Korea, could not be reached for comment. The company website says it is in the business of exporting completely knocked down units of commercial bus and trucks, manufacturing of special vehicles, airbag inflators and lithium electric batteries.

In response to a query from ET, a Hyundai Motor executive said: “It has come to the notice of Hyundai Motor Company and HMIL that a company by the name of Hyundai Global Motors Co Ltd, South Korea, has misrepresented itself and used these trademarks in the course of its business activities in India, which is a violation of the intellectual property rights of Hyundai Motor Company and HMIL.