Hyundai Motor Co. is turning to nine new executive leaders to drive success as it prepares for "uncertainties in the global business environment,” the automaker announced Thursday.
The company’s leadership changes reflect the company's performance-based approach — placing executives with proven records in impactful roles — and include key positions at the top of Hyundai Motor Co., Kia Corp., as well as in several other business divisions.
The new executive appointments include:
- Jaehoon Chang was promoted to vice chair of Hyundai Motor Group – Automotive Division. He is currently president and CEO of Hyundai Motor Co. His appointment is effective Jan. 1.
Chang, who has been CEO of Hyundai Motor Co. since 2020, is credited for guiding the company to record-breaking performance, despite uncertain business environments like the pandemic and changing technology. The automaker said his leadership has driven aggressive business strategies, agile market responses, and profitability.
Chang will oversee product planning, supply chain management manufacturing, and quality assessment automotive business operations.
- José Muñoz was promoted to president and CEO of Hyundai Motor Co, effective Jan. 1.
In succeeding Chang as president and CEO of Hyundai Motor Co., Muñoz’s role will be to advance the company’s global management framework and drive growth in electric, hybrid, gas powered and hydrogen technologies.
Muñoz joined Hyundai Motor Company in 2019 as president and global chief operating officer and president and CEO of Hyundai and Genesis Motor North America.
- Sung Kim was named president of Hyundai Motor Co, effective Jan. 1. He is currently advisor to Hyundai Motor Group.
Hyundai described Kim as “a foremost expert on East Asian and Korean Peninsula affairs in the United States.” He was a long-time U.S. presidential advisor and joined Hyundai Motor Group as an advisor in January, following his retirement from the State Department.
- Jun Young Choi was promoted to president of Kia Corp. He previously was EVP, head of the domestic production division, and chief safety officer at Kia Corp.
Hyundai said Choi was instrumental in securing Kia’s highest-ever performance as head of domestic production and has led the transition of AutoLand Gwangmyeong in Korea to EV production.
The automaker is also shoring up other aspects of its operations including finance, engineering and advancing its electrification transition with the following executive appointments and promotions:
- Kyoo Bok Lee, president and CEO of Hyundai Glovis, was promoted to president of Hyundai Glovis.
- Cheol Seung Baek, EVP and chief business development officer, was named CEO of Hyundai Transys.
- Joon Dong Oh, VP and head of electrification manufacturing engineering center at Kia was named CEO of Hyundai KEFICO.
- Hanwoo Lee, SVP and head of housing works division at Hyundai E&C, was named CEO of Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co.
- Woo Jeong Joo, EVP, CFO and head of finance and accounting division at Kia, was named CEO of Hyundai Engineering Co.
“By consolidating the Group’s core competencies and strategically placing proven leaders with verified track records in key positions, the Group aims to strengthen organizational foundations and accelerate our future transformation,” the announcement read.
