Hyundai has grown more than any automaker in the U.S. — and it's not done yet

The term means "anything is possible" in Korean. It's a mantra for the South Korean automaker that has proved to be true for the company's U.S. ambitions as well as for Muñoz himself, a Spanish-U.S. dual national who is the first non-Korean executive to lead the automaker.

Hyundai has experienced rapid growth in the U.S. so far this decade despite an onslaught of geopolitical changes and a slowing market. And it's hoping to keep that going. The company is ramping up production at a new $7.6 billion plant in Georgia to continue to capture more sales and market share.

"My top three priorities are U-S-A," Muñoz told CNBC during an interview last week after the Genesis reveal. "USA is helping us to really make good progress, not only in the most important market and the most competitive market in the world, but also elsewhere."

Hyundai Motor Group, which includes its namesake vehicles as well as the Kia and luxury Genesis brands, has increased its market share this decade more than any major automaker in the U.S., according to data from Mobility Global.

The group has grown its U.S. market share from 8.4% in 2020 to 11.2% through last year, and its sales have grown 50% over that period, making the South Korean company the fourth best-selling automaker in the country. Its market share is up to 11.8% through the first half of this year, according to auto intelligence firm Mobility Global.

No other major automaker is even close to such market share gains, with most flat to down during that timeframe. Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla, at an estimated 2.1 percentage point increase in market share, is the only company even close, according to Mobility Global.

Hyundai's U.S. performance has helped it become the third best-selling automaker globally and the second most profitable based on operating income, Munoz said.

Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung downplayed the company's rapid rise when speaking last week to CNBC: "It's important, but speed doesn't matter. How we grow in the right way [is what matters]. I think that's more important."

But investors have definitely taken notice of the growth, with shares of the company on the Korea stock exchange up nearly 250% since 2020.

Hyundai expects its growth to continue with a $26 billion investment plan through 2028 that could include making its new Metaplant in Georgia the largest vehicle assembly plant in the country.

Muñoz told CNBC the company is considering plans to increase the expected production capacity at the plant from 500,000 units to between 700,000 and 800,000 units by 2028. It currently produces the all-electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9 as well as the Kia Sportage hybrid, with additional vehicles expected in the coming years.

The goal is for Hyundai to produce at least 80% of the vehicles it sells in the U.S. domestically by the end of this decade, up from roughly 40% in 2024.