Hyundai Motor tracked down the truck owner who drew attention by leaving a "farewell letter" as the vehicle was scrapped after 29 years together. The owner, who called the Porter that ran 448,000 kilometers with him a "friend and family," left a heartfelt goodbye to the end.
On the 8th, Hyundai Motor said on its official social media (SNS), "We found the owner of the 'farewell drive' Porter, who has been on the road with the Porter for the long span of 29 years," adding, "Thanks to the many tips and interest people sent us, we were able to get in touch with the owner."
Recently online, a photo went viral showing a handwritten letter titled "farewell drive" that the owner had attached to the front windshield of a Porter driven for 29 years. According to the owner, the Porter's initial registration date was Oct. 28, 1997, and the total mileage reached 448,000 kilometers.
In the letter, the owner wrote, "I dedicate this writing to my beloved friend with whom I shared joys and sorrows for 29 years." The owner continued, "We met and endured the storm of the IMF, and during that long time you quietly shouldered my hardships," and added, "Thanks to that, I raised and educated two children, and now each of us is doing our best on our own path."
The owner went on, "Thank you so much. And thank you truly for running without an accident," adding, "As time passed, I'm really sorry I couldn't keep our promise to always be together until the end. But I will cherish your breath and devotion forever."
The owner concluded the letter, saying, "You were not just a car but my life companion, friend, and family," and "I am so grateful for all this time, and I am truly sorry to see you go. Goodbye, my friend."
As the sincere handwritten letter spread online, Hyundai Motor also began looking for the owner. At the time, Hyundai Motor left a comment on SNS, saying, "Your heart that stayed together for the long span of 29 years really resonates deeply. If you know the owner or are the owner, please contact the Hyundai Motor official account."
After a stream of tips from netizens, Hyundai Motor succeeded in contacting the owner. According to Yonhap News, the owner is Choi Young-du, 79. After deciding to scrap the vehicle, Choi wrote a farewell letter on the back of the last week of the August calendar and attached it to the front windshield of the Porter, and when someone photographed it and shared it online, the story became known to the world.
Choi said that from the time of first buying the Porter, he pledged, "I won't abandon you, so don't abandon me either, let's stay together." True to that promise, Choi drove the Porter for 29 years without an accident.
Choi worked delivering bread to neighborhood supermarkets. Every day, he loaded bread into the Porter and drove through narrow and steep roads. Even after quitting sales five years ago and starting work as a security guard, he did not sell the Porter and used it for commuting.
Letting go of the Porter of 29 years was not because the vehicle had broken down. As the years passed, some parts became impossible to source.
Choi said, "There were many things that didn't break even once in 29 years, so it felt like such a waste to scrap it," adding, "But the sheet metal had rusted a bit and holes formed, and as time went by, a few parts became unavailable."
Choi also left a final message to the Porter that had been with him for so long. He said, "You will go to the steel mill and be reborn, but now at the age of 80, 'again' doesn't really resonate with me," and added, "It pains me that I didn't pat your back at the last moment and tell you to travel well. Travel well, meet someone better. Goodbye."
Hyundai Motor said, "Hyundai Motor was also deeply moved by the owner's sincere heart," adding, "Please look forward to the stories that the owner and Hyundai Motor will create together in the future."