Hyundai has today opened its new €50 million (£34 million)European headquarters in Offenbach, near Frankfurt, Germany, the next step in the company’s strategy to become one of the top automotive brands in Europe.

The new headquarters will be home to Hyundai’s European sales, marketing and aftersales divisions.

The move allows for expansion of Hyundai’s nearby European research and design centre at the company’s former European headquarters in Rüsselheim, Germany. The Rüsselheim facility has been expanded to include additional powertrain facilities and a new design studio.

These investments, together with the company’s first European plant in the Czech Republic, due to start production in 2008, mean Hyundai will soon be able to plan, design and produce cars specifically for the European market, within Europe.

Tony Whitehorn, Hyundai Motor UK managing director, said: "This clearly signals Hyundai’s rapidly growing presence in Europe. The UK is key to Hyundai’s European and global ambitions and this continued investment will further strengthen our presence in the UK market."