HD Hyundai to Merge Construction Equipment Divisions, Maintain Hyundai and Develon Brands

New Structure Aims to Boost Global Reach, Streamline R&D and Expand Compact Equipment Offerings

HD Hyundai is consolidating its construction equipment operations. The South Korean conglomerate announced plans to merge HD Hyundai Infracore (parent of the Develon brand) and HD Hyundai Construction Equipment into one company, tentatively named HD Construction Equipment. The merger becomes official on January 1, 2026, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals. Despite the integration, both the Hyundai and Develon brands will remain active and independent in North America. Their dealer networks will continue operating separately, with no changes in staff or regional support teams. From the press release:

“While this merger creates a more powerful global entity, we are committed to ensuring stability and continuity for our dealers and customers in North America,” says WH Kim, CEO of Develon North America. “Our dealers will continue to work with the same staff they do today, and the Develon and Hyundai brands will continue to be strong, independent forces in the market.”

A Strategic Realignment

The merger aims to strengthen HD Hyundai’s global presence and enhance competitiveness in a fast-changing equipment market. Key benefits include:

• Providing greater price competitiveness through increased scale.
• Speeding up innovation in smart and electrified equipment.
• Enhancing supply chain efficiency and product quality.
• Expanding aftermarket support, including parts and service.
• Growing the product lineup, ranging from compact to ultra-large machines.
• Building on the growth of engine sales and aftermarket services.

The move comes as both Develon and Hyundai continue growing their compact equipment portfolios across the United States and Canada.

A Look Back: From Doosan to Develon

Develon, originally known as Doosan Infracore, became part of HD Hyundai following a 2021 acquisition. The brand transitioned from Doosan to Develon in early 2023. Although the name changed, the company retained its legacy of building reliable, orange-liveried machines for nearly three decades in North America. Since the rebrand, Develon has rapidly expanded its product offerings, increased tradeshow visibility and grown its dealer network to more than 200 locations. The company also introduced one of the strongest warranties in the industry: 36 months or 5,000 hours of full coverage for most machines.

Recent Compact Equipment Highlights

Both Develon and Hyundai have made major investments in compact equipment in recent years. Here’s a snapshot of key product releases.

Develon Compact Track Loader: DTL35

Launched in 2024 after debuting at CONEXPO 2023, the DTL35 marked Develon’s entry into the compact track loader market. This 115.3-hp vertical-lift machine offers ride control, auto return-to-dig, a reversible fan and optional 270-degree surround view cameras. It uses the same D34 engine found in the DD100 dozer and supports both narrow and wide track options.

Develon Mini Excavators: A Complete Lineup

Develon now offers a full line of -7 Series mini excavators:

• DX17Z-7: 16 hp, 4,211-lbs operating weight, 7-ft, 3-in. dig depth
• DX27Z-7: 24 hp, 6,173-lbs operating weight, 8-ft, 8-in. dig depth
• DX35Z-7: 24.7 hp, 8,807-lbs operating weight, 10-ft, 8-in. dig depth
• DX42-7 to DX63-7: Mid-size range with up to 57.5 hp and 12-ft, 5-in. dig depths
• DX89R-7: 63.2 hp, 21,025-lbs operating weight, 13-ft, 6-in. dig depth
• DX100W-7: Wheeled model with 100.6 hp and 13-ft, 11-in. dig depth

All models feature thumb-ready arms, quick-coupler hydraulics and My Develon telematics.

Hyundai’s Big Compact Push

Hyundai Construction Equipment has made bold moves in compact gear since relaunching its loader lineup in 2023.

HX19e: First Electric Mini

Unveiled at bauma 2025, the HX19e is Hyundai’s first battery electric mini excavator. It comes in 32- or 40-kWh configurations with up to 10+ hours of run time, fast-charging options and a 13-kW electric motor. Performance matches its diesel twin, the HX19A, with 16 kN of bucket breakout force.

Compact Loaders: HS and HT Series

At bauma 2025, Hyundai debuted three new loaders. The HS80V weighs 3.2 metric tons and delivers a rated operating capacity of 885 kg at 50 percent tipping load. It runs on a 49.5-kW (66.4 -hp) engine. The larger HS120V weighs 3.7 metric tons and lifts up to 1,220 kg at 50 percent tipping load, powered by a 54.9-kW (73.6-hp) engine. The compact tracked loader, HT100V, weighs 4.4 metric tons and offers a capacity of 1,490 kg. All three models incorporate vertical-lift path loader arms. This design raises the bucket to full height without spillage and improves stability.

More Mini Excavators

Hyundai’s HX-A series includes the HX17AZ, HX27AZ, HX55ACR and HX60A — all released in 2024. These models offer improved hydraulics, lower emissions and lots of other cool features. Read all about them right here.

Manufacturing and Support in North America

Both brands continue investing in U.S.-based support. Develon runs its headquarters from Suwanee, Georgia, with parts depots and a customization plant in Savannah. Hyundai added a new Customization Center in Brunswick, Georgia, in 2024. This facility allows for faster machine adaptations and regional delivery.

What Comes Next?

The HD Hyundai merger signals a new chapter for both brands. By aligning global operations while maintaining distinct North American identities, Hyundai and Develon are poised to push deeper into the compact market. Expect more machines, more tech and more local support — all without changing the dealer relationships that customers already trust.

Keith Gribbins is publisher of Compact Equipment.

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