Hyundai CEO says only a ‘level playing field’ can minimize damage from China

Hyundai’s CEO is signaling that the biggest business risk from China is not just cheaper vehicles, but a structural market shift that could reset pricing, margins, and competitive dynamics if protections weaken. For CIOs and technology leaders, the strategic takeaway is that cost, software capability, and vertical integration are becoming core competitive levers: firms must build more resilient supply chains, accelerate internal technology development, and prepare for faster market entry by lower-cost competitors. The article also underscores that IT and digital teams will be central to improving product economics, speeding innovation, and supporting manufacturing and procurement decisions in a more protectionist, price-sensitive environment.