What does the letter in the Hyundai logo symbolize?

The slanted H in the Hyundai logo symbolizes a handshake.

Hyundai explains the emblem as two people shaking hands: one represents the company and the other represents a satisfied customer. The oval surrounding the mark is commonly interpreted as suggesting the company’s global reach, while the forward-slanting form gives the emblem a sense of movement.

The symbol is often mistaken for only a stylized capital H. That reading is understandable because the central shape is based on the first letter of Hyundai, but the branding concept adds a relationship-oriented meaning. The handshake reflects trust, agreement, and cooperation between manufacturer and buyer.

Hyundai Motor Company was founded in South Korea in 1967. Its name comes from the Korean word “Hyundai,” meaning “modernity.” The car company is separate from Hyundai Engineering and Construction in its corporate history, although both trace their origins to the wider Hyundai business group.