To most, Hyundai – which means "modernity" in Korean – probably conjures up images of fuel-efficient compact cars. Indeed, one of the company’s main divisions, the Hyundai Motor Co. (HMC), is the world’s fourth largest car manufacturer.

But an HMC subsidiary – originally called Koros – churns out fuel-guzzling battle tanks, armoured troop carriers and tank-gunnery trainers. Koros, which made trains, is an acronym for Korea Rolling Stock. However, in Japanese, the word korosu means "to kill." Although this was quite apt, the Koros name was changed to Rotem in 2002.

In 1997, Hyundai defied the Arab boycott and set up an Israeli R&D centre. HMC cars are now Israel’s most popular, surpassing competitors Mazda and Mitsubishi. (See table "CPP Investments.")

Because HMC has received lucrative contracts from Israel’s military, it is obliged to reciprocate with investments in the country. The government’s Industrial Cooperation Authority said:

Israel’s Globes newspaper reported on two large 2010 contracts won by HMC to supply vehicles to officers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). These deals totalled between US$28 and $33 million. Globes noted that

The other tender was to "lease cars to IDF majors...through Hyundai Motors Israel Ltd., with its I20 model," which are also made in Turkey. Globes estimated that the "value of the I20s that will be exported to Israel for delivery to the IDF is [US]$6-8 million."

In 2006, Globes reported that in "the first stage of a military contract" the IDF received "hundreds of Hyundai Getz and Mitsubishi Lancers." (See Mitsubishi in table "CPP Investments.")

Hyundai Rotem
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_Rotem