Hyundai Motor's New Heritage Campaign Celebrates Legacy of STELLAR and SONATA

• 40^th anniversary of SONATA celebrated with a commemorative exhibition and magazine highlighting the legacy of STELLAR and SONATA
• Restored 1988 STELLAR and archival materials showcased at piknic in Seoul, capturing the evolution of Hyundai Motor's mid-size sedans
• The second edition of RETRACE Magazine explores the historic stories of STELLAR and SONATA alongside a book talk at Hyundai Motorstudio Seoul

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor Company today launched a heritage campaign honoring the historic journey of its iconic mid-size sedans, the STELLAR and SONATA, in celebration of the SONATA's 40^th anniversary.

STELLAR, launched in 1983, was the company's second proprietary passenger car after the PONY and marked a significant advancement in technological independence in Korea's automotive industry. SONATA, first introduced in 1985 as the high-end version of STELLAR, soon grew into its own legacy, evolving through eight generations to become Hyundai Motor's longest-running volume model.

As part of the heritage campaign, Hyundai Motor will host a special pop-up exhibition at piknic, an exhibition venue near Namsan Park in Seoul, from September 25, 2025 to January 4, 2026. The exhibition showcases a fully restored 1988 STELLAR ('STELLAR 88'), a special edition model that was launched to celebrate Hyundai Motor's role as the official vehicle of the Olympic Games Seoul 1988. The restored vehicle is displayed alongside archival materials such as technical drawings, catalogues and behind-the-scenes R&D records. 

In addition to the exhibition, Hyundai Motor is releasing the second edition of its heritage publication series, RETRACE Magazine. 'RETRACE Magazine: STELLAR & SONATA' blends historical insights with personal stories of customers, exploring the value of long-standing relationships in everyday life. With 16 original pieces, including essays, interviews and columns, the magazine invites readers to reflect on the legacy and technological achievements of the company's mid-size sedans. A book talk event will take place on October 18 at Hyundai Motorstudio Seoul to further engage with audiences.

Exclusive STELLAR and SONATA merchandise will be available for purchase at piknic during the exhibition period, as well as select Hyundai Motorstudio locations (Goyang, Seoul, and Busan) and the Hyundai Collection official website (Link). These items commemorate the campaign and provide customers with unique ways to celebrate Hyundai Motor's rich legacy.

More information about Hyundai Motor and its products can be found at:
https://www.hyundai.com/worldwide/en/ or Newsroom: Media Hub by Hyundai

SOURCE Hyundai Motor Company