Hyundai Motor has overtaken General Motors to become the world’s fourth-most valuable automaker, as investor enthusiasm around robotics and so-called “physical AI” drives a sharp rally in the South Korean company’s shares.
Hyundai’s stock surged 15 per cent on Wednesday, lifting its market capitalisation to around $76.4 billion and pushing it ahead of GM, which stands at roughly $72.6 billion. The move caps a remarkable start to the year for Hyundai, whose shares are up about 85 per cent so far in 2026, making it the best-performing major stock in Asia.
The rally gathered momentum earlier this month following the unveiling of the latest version of Atlas, a humanoid robot developed by Hyundai-owned Boston Dynamics. The company has said Atlas is expected to begin working inside Hyundai’s manufacturing plants by 2028, marking a major step in integrating advanced robotics into large-scale industrial operations.
Investor interest has been further fuelled by Hyundai’s growing partnerships in artificial intelligence and robotics, including collaborations with Nvidia and Google DeepMind. As markets continue to hunt for exposure to AI-related growth themes beyond software, Hyundai’s positioning at the intersection of manufacturing, robotics and automation has resonated strongly.
Analysts have responded by raising their expectations for the stock. Some have described Hyundai as one of the few companies globally capable of competing with Tesla in what is increasingly being described as the “physical AI” space — where intelligent machines interact directly with the real world, rather than operating purely in digital environments.
The company’s robotics ambitions are seen as a potential productivity boost across its wider industrial ecosystem, spanning vehicle manufacturing, logistics and supply chains. That optimism has spilled over to other Hyundai affiliates, with companies such as Hyundai Glovis, Hyundai Mobis and Hyundai Autoever also hitting record highs this month.
Hyundai closed Wednesday’s trading session at 549,000 won, cementing its place among the most valuable automakers globally. While Tesla remains far ahead in market value, Hyundai’s rapid ascent highlights how robotics and automation are reshaping investor perceptions of what traditional car manufacturers can become in the age of AI.
