In 2021, HD Hyundai acquired Doosan Infracore and rebranded the company DEVELON. HD Hyundai has now merged its HD Hyundai Construction Equipment (Hyundai) and HD Hyundai Infracore (DEVELON) construction brands under the subsidiary HD Construction Equipment.
We had the opportunity to discuss the relationship between the two equipment brands with Mr. Jae-young Moon, CEO of HD Construction Equipment, in conjunction with CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026. Our discussion focused on how the brands are moving forward after the merger and the advantages of consolidating resources.
Both brands are here to stay
The first thing to understand is that the merger does not change either brand’s identity in the marketplace, explained Mr. Moon. Instead, it is an opportunity to create a stronger integration at the management and operational level.
He emphasized that the two brands will continue to operate independently, preserving distinct identities, dealer networks, and customer bases, while engaging in fair competition in the global construction equipment market. At a higher level, the integration facilitates faster decision making and a more efficient allocation of resources.
“Hyundai and DEVELON will each be positioned as independent global premium brands, giving customers a wider range of choice,” Mr. Moon said. “Hyundai, based on its brand identity of Comfort Intelligence, will focus on improving operator comfort and productivity. It will continue to enhance work efficiency through user-friendly and intuitive design, as well as more comfortable and responsive control performance.
“DEVELON, in line with its brand direction of Trusted Innovation, will further strengthen differentiation through innovative technologies, advanced control performance, and a wide range of customization options.”
As an integrated company, HD Construction Equipment can strengthen the economies of scale for both brands, and integrated R&D streamlines product development through shared engineering capabilities. This is accelerating the development of new construction equipment and technologies while maximizing investment resources.
It will also allow both brands to respond to market changes with greater agility.
One example is HD Construction Equipment’s independent, in-house engine business, which strengthens self-reliance for powertrains and allows the combined entity to pursue improved performance, fuel efficiency, and emissions compliance without relying on third parties.
“We will pursue a strategy of improving both development efficiency and product quality, while implementing technologies in ways that align with each brand’s identity,” said Mr. Moon. Examples of technologies in development include AI-based control systems, electrification, autonomous solutions, and advanced telematics.
“It has made it possible to pursue large-scale R&D investment and future technology development more proactively — areas that would have been difficult for the two companies to undertake as aggressively on their own. In fact, we are already strengthening our compact equipment lineup and developing more ultra-large excavators targeted toward mining,” he added.
The next chapter
When asked what he expects this merger will make possible by the time CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2029 rolls around, Mr. Moon said, “We are aiming to secure world-class competitiveness in autonomy, electrification, and digital transformation. An example would be our Real-X unmanned and autonomous technology showcased at the DEVELON booth at this CONEXPO. By 2029, when the next CONEXPO is held, we anticipate that there will be further advancements and refinements in these technologies and that we will be able to present a commercialization version of them to the market.”
This article originally appeared in the April 2026 issue of Heavy Equipment Guide.
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