“Are there Chinese parts in my car too?” Hyundai Motor Company belatedly imposes sanctions amid controversy over Chinese-made diodes

Jin Yong-jun｜[email protected] 2026-11-10 18:04:55

English translation of the original Korean report. Images and source documents may contain Korean text.

발레오전장시스템스코리아가 2026년 10월 21일 노조에 보낸 공문. 발레오는 현대차가 한 품목의 공급 운영에서 발레오를 배제하기로 했고, 미신고 부품이 장착된 차량의 전수조치 방안을 별도로 검토 중이라고 알렸다. (출처=발레오전장시스템스코리아 공문·금속노조 공개) — A document sent by Valeo Electrical Systems Korea to the labor union on October 21, 2026. Valeo announced that Hyundai Motor Company decided to exclude Valeo from the supply operation of one item, and that it is separately reviewing measures for a full investigation of vehicles equipped with undeclared parts. (Source: Valeo Electrical Systems Korea official document, disclosed by Korean Metal Workers’ Union)

After the labor union raised suspicions regarding its supplier Valeo Electrical Systems Korea (Valeo)’s undeclared use of Chinese-made alternator parts, Hyundai Motor Company investigated the undeclared part change and decided to exclude Valeo from the supply operation of one item.

According to data disclosed by the Valeo Mando Branch of the Gyeongju Chapter of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union on the 10th, on October 21, 33 days after the branch requested a meeting with Hyundai Motor Company on September 18, Valeo notified the union of Hyundai Motor Company’s sanction decision via an official document.

금속노조 발레오만도지회가 중국산 교체품으로 지목한 발전기용 다이오드. 상자 안 부품 식별표에는 ‘YUNYI 35A LLD’와 ‘Diode’가 적혀 있다. (출처=금속노조 경주지부 발레오만도지회) — The alternator diode identified by the Valeo Mando Branch of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union as a Chinese-made replacement part. The part identification label inside the box reads ‘YUNYI 35A LLD’ and ‘Diode’. (Source: Valeo Mando Branch of the Gyeongju Chapter of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union)

The branch claims that since May of last year, Valeo, without prior approval from Hyundai Motor Company, replaced the existing Actron diodes with Chinese-made Yunyi 35A LLD diodes and supplied them, and disclosed a photo of the part identification label.

The branch demanded that Hyundai Motor Company clarify the circumstances of the part change and the basis for post-facto special approval, and began a one-person protest in front of the Ulsan plant on October 6, and on the 29th of the same month, moved the protest location to in front of the home of Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung.

금속노조 발레오만도지회 관계자가 정의선 현대차그룹 회장 자택 앞에서 1인 시위를 하고 있다. 지회는 중국산 부품의 사전 승인 여부와 사후 특별승인 경위를 밝혀 달라고 요구했다. (출처=금속노조 경주지부 발레오만도지회) — An official from the Valeo Mando Branch of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union is holding a one-person protest in front of the home of Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung. The branch demanded clarification on whether the Chinese-made parts received prior approval and the circumstances of any post-facto special approval. (Source: Valeo Mando Branch of the Gyeongju Chapter of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union)

According to related reports, Hyundai Motor Company stated on the 3rd that as of then, no vehicles had been fitted with unapproved Chinese-made parts, but on the 6th, it explained that it had inspected parts supplied by Valeo without reporting the change.

■ Vehicles Already Shipped Under Separate Review…Vehicle Models and Numbers Not Disclosed

In its official document on October 21, Valeo notified that Hyundai Motor Company had completed its investigation into the undeclared matter and sanctions against the supplier, and that measures for all vehicles equipped with the relevant parts are being separately reviewed.

The diode in question is a component that converts alternating current generated by an alternator into direct current, and Valeo’s official document did not specify the vehicle models, production periods, or VIN ranges of vehicles containing this part.

금속노조 발레오만도지회가 2026년 9월 18일 현대차에 보낸 면담 요청 공문. 지회는 발레오가 현대차의 사전 승인 없이 중국산 부품을 썼다는 의혹을 제기하며 사실관계 확인을 위한 면담을 요청했다. (출처=금속노조 경주지부 발레오만도지회) — An official document requesting a meeting sent by the Valeo Mando Branch of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union to Hyundai Motor Company on September 18, 2026. The branch raised suspicions that Valeo used Chinese-made parts without Hyundai Motor Company’s prior approval, and requested a meeting to confirm the facts. (Source: Valeo Mando Branch of the Gyeongju Chapter of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union)

A union official, believing it was used in many Hyundai and Kia passenger vehicles, estimated the scale of production line input to be approximately 1.18 million units, but the actual number of installed and shipped units was not confirmed in public data.

Hyundai Motor Company stated on the 6th that the relevant parts met its quality and performance standards, and explained that Valeo conducted quality evaluations before delivery, and Hyundai Motor Company also evaluated the parts during regular inspections.

Hyundai Motor Company stated that it is conducting additional quality verification, and depending on the results, will take measures including a full investigation and customer notification.