Hyundai Motor overhauls management in biggest-ever generational revamp

Hyundai Motor Group, South Korea’s second-largest conglomerate, on Friday replaced its mid-tier executives in its largest personnel reshuffle ever, as the top Korean automaker pushes forward in its transition to become a smart mobility leader.

The massive management overhaul, involving the promotion of a record number of 203 employees to executive posts, also marks the further acceleration of Hyundai’s generational change under Chairman Chung Euisun, who took the helm of the group from his farther Chung Mong-koo last year.

About a third of the newly promoted executives are in their 40s, significantly younger than management in the past, with some 37% of overall promotions in the research and development (R&D) division.

“The appointments support Hyundai Motor Group’s response to a fast-changing business environment and its commitment to creating a sustainable business structure,” Hyundai said in a statement.

Friday’s executive shake-up affects not only the group’s two automaking units, Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp., but also other affiliates such as Hyundai Mobis Co. and Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co.

The group said its biggest ever executive reshuffle reflects its aim to nurture next-generation leaders particularly in the infotainment, electric vehicle and autonomous driving sectors.

LEGENDS TAKE A BACK SEAT

In the latest reshuffle, Hyundai retired a couple of legendary foreign executives who significantly contributed to the enhancement of the brand’s design identity and performance of its vehicles.

Peter Schreyer, a former Audi designer who has led Hyundai’s design since 2006, is stepping down and will serve as an adviser to the company.

Lee Sang-yup, an auto designer, was promoted to an executive vice president role to take over Schreyer’s job as head of Hyundai Global Design Center. The company said Lee contributed to the Genesis brand’s success in building a firm presence in the luxury auto market through the design of the GV80 and GV70.

Albert Biermann, head of Hyundai’s R&D division, will be replaced by Park Chung-kook, president of the company’s hydrogen fuel cell division. Park also worked as the chief executive of Hyundai Mobis.

Biermann, who launched the Hyundai N, the company’s high-performance car brand, after he joined the group in 2015, will continue to work as a technical adviser.

NEW FACES

Hyundai hired a new foreign executive, Graeme Russell, who led luxury car marketing at Bentley Motors and Macallan, as its chief brand officer for the Genesis line.

Hyundai Motor Group has also hired a female executive.

Jin Eun-sook, who previously worked for Korean tech company NHN Corp. as its chief technology officer, joined Hyundai as the automaker’s executive vice president and head of ICT innovation division.

She is known for her expertise in the field of data, cloud computing and IT service platform development, according to Hyundai.

Other employees promoted to executive posts include Choo Kyo-woong, executive vice president and head of the Hyundai Infotainment Development Center; Kim Heung-soo, executive vice president and head of Hyundai’s corporate future growth planning and electric vehicle divisions; and Lim Tae-won, head of Hyundai’s hydrogen and fuel cell business center.

Analysts said Friday’s management shake-up underlines Chairman Chung’s drive to shift Hyundai Motor Group’s focus from combustion-engine cars to EVs, hydrogen power and self-driving cars.

Write to Byung-Uk Do at dodo@hankyung.com
In-Soo Nam edited this article.