[Edaily Reporter Park Soon-yeop] A new exchange-traded fund (ETF) focused on investing in the value chain related to Hyundai Motor Group’s robotics business has debuted on the domestic stock market. Aligned with Hyundai Motor Group’s strategy to evolve beyond finished vehicles into a robotics and physical artificial intelligence (AI) company, the product includes Hyundai Motor, Kia, and Hyundai Mobis as its core holdings.
According to the Korea Exchange on the 13th, Samsung Asset Management listed the “KODEX Hyundai Motor Robotics Value Chain TOP3 Plus ETF” on the KOSPI market on the 9th. This ETF is a passive product that invests in domestic and international listed companies linked to Hyundai Motor Group’s robotics business.

The benchmark index is the ‘Akros Hyundai Motor Robotics Value Chain TOP3 Plus Index.’ It primarily targets companies listed on the Korean and U.S. stock markets that fall under sectors such as machinery, computers and electronic products, electrical equipment, transportation equipment, transportation support services, information services, and professional, scientific, and technical services. It then calculates a similarity score for each stock based on the keyword “Hyundai Motor Robotics” and includes the top 10 stocks in the final portfolio.
The weighting structure is designed to concentrate on the top-ranked stocks. The top three stocks by similarity score are each assigned a fixed weight of 25%, while the remaining seven stocks are allocated the residual weight in proportion to their scores. As of the listing date, the top three stocks are #HyundaiMotor, #Kia, and #HyundaiMobis, which together account for 75% of the total portfolio.
The remaining candidates for inclusion include group affiliates such as #HyundaiAutoEver, #HyundaiGlovis, and #HyundaiWIA, as well as U.S. companies like NVIDIA and Alphabet. The structure broadly covers the physical AI ecosystem, ranging from robot hardware to autonomous driving, AI, software, and logistics automation.
Another key feature is the consideration of the potential for unlisted robotics companies to go public. If companies such as Boston Dynamics, Figure AI, Unity Robotics, and Aptronic go public, they could be specially included in the portfolio with a weighting of up to 25%.
Hyundai Motor Group is building its competitiveness in the physical AI market based on its manufacturing infrastructure and production technology capabilities. Physical AI refers to technology where AI combines with devices in the physical world—such as robots, automobiles, and manufacturing equipment—to move and make decisions. Since actual manufacturing site data and automation experience are crucial, it is assessed that Hyundai Motor Group’s strengths, backed by its established vehicle production base, will be highlighted.
Song Ah-hyun, a manager at Samsung Asset Management, stated, “When investing in the robotics industry, it is essential to distinguish between companies that can generate economic returns through actual mass production and business applications.” She added, “This ETF will serve as a solution that allows investors to focus on the core value chain of Hyundai Motor Group, which has evolved into a global robotics company.”
Recently, the domestic ETF market has seen a succession of products designating Hyundai Motor Group as a core investment target for physical AI. Last month, KB Asset Management launched the “RISE Hyundai Motor Fixed Physical AI ETF,” which allocates 25% to Hyundai Motor and invests in companies related to autonomous driving, robotics, and factory automation.
Bond-mixed products featuring Hyundai Motor have also followed in quick succession. Woori Asset Management listed the “WON Samsung Electronics-Hyundai Motor Bond-Mixed 50 ETF” this month. The structure allocates 25% each to Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor, with the remaining 50% invested in short-term bonds. Hana Asset Management also launched the “1Q Hyundai Motor Kia Bond-Mixed 50 ETF,” which allocates 25% each to Hyundai Motor and Kia, with the remainder invested in short-term government and public bonds.
The successive launch of these ETFs reflects the market’s shifting perception of the Hyundai Motor Group, which is expanding beyond just finished vehicles to include robotics, autonomous driving, smart factories, and software. As expectations grow regarding the role the Hyundai Motor Group—owner of Boston Dynamics—will play in the physical AI ecosystem, there is a growing trend in the ETF market to utilize the Hyundai Motor Group as a core asset.
However, as this is a product focused on a specific group and theme, investors should be mindful of volatility. The KODEX Hyundai Motor Robotics Value Chain TOP3 Plus ETF has a weighting of 75% in Hyundai Motor, Kia, and Hyundai Mobis, meaning its price fluctuations may be significant depending on the performance of the finished vehicle sector, exchange rates, supply and demand for group stocks, and shifts in investor sentiment toward the robotics theme.
The price per share of this ETF is 10,000 won, and the total annual expense ratio is 0.50%. It consists of 10 constituent stocks and is managed using a physical replication method. Regular rebalancing takes place twice a year, in June and December.
Kim Jin-young, an analyst at Kiwoom Securities, explained, “The Hyundai Motor Group possesses the infrastructure to secure robot training data through its global production hubs and the assembly and logistics sites of HMGMA and Kia.” He added, “Synergies are also expected between Boston Dynamics’ robot control technology and the Hyundai Motor Group’s mass production capabilities.” He further noted, “If the value of the robotics business is reflected, the group could be reevaluated as a physical AI platform company.”