- Appointments to strengthen Hyundai Motor Group’s leadership in future mobility solutions
- Brian Latouf promoted to Global Chief Safety & Quality Officer (GCSQO) to oversee global safety and quality practices and initiatives across Hyundai, Genesis and Kia brands
- Dong Seock Lee, Head of Domestic Productions at Hyundai Motor Company, promoted to President
- Yun Goo Kim and Hyung Keun Bae appointed to CEOs of Hyundai AutoEver and Hyundai Motor Securities, respectively
- Byeong Ku Jeon, Head of Corporate Management Unit at Hyundai Card and Hyundai Commercial, promoted to President
Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) today announced key executive appointments for the second-half of the year 2023. Through the appointments, the Group aims to strengthen its leading position in future mobility solutions and innovations and better prepare for uncertainties in the global business environment.
A total of 252 executives from the Group’s affiliates are included in the announcement, the largest number to date. Demonstrating the Group’s focus on future technology and business, 30 percent of the appointments are in areas such as R&D, new businesses and manufacturing. Among the 197 newly appointed executives, next-generation leaders in their 40s comprised 38 percent, a number which has continuously grown over the years.
Brian Latouf is promoted to Hyundai Motor Group President and Global Chief Safety & Quality Officer (GCSQO). In this new role, Latouf will be responsible for leading global safety and quality for Hyundai, Genesis and Kia vehicles. He will have full authority to modify and enhance existing safety and quality systems and processes to drive a path to common global standards and best practices. He will also oversee the entire Quality Division, including the processes within R&D and quality gates in preparation for vehicle launches.
Latouf was previously the Global Chief Safety Officer for Hyundai Motor Company, a position he held since July 2022. He successfully helped integrate the company’s engineering resources and streamlined its safety operation into a cohesive global technical function. He also led the recent opening of the Hyundai’s world-class Safety Test and Investigation Laboratory (STIL) in Michigan. Latouf first joined Hyundai in November 2019 as Chief Safety Officer for Hyundai Motor North America. He will remain based in California with offices at Hyundai Motor Group global headquarters in Seoul and at STIL in Michigan.
The Group also promoted Hyundai Motor Company Executive Vice President Dong Seock Lee to President. As the Head of Domestic Productions, Lee is recognized for his achievements in both vehicle production and labor management. Domestic production reached a historic capacity of 1.86 million units this year under his leadership, and he also helped establish a more stable relationship with labor.
Yun Goo Kim is promoted to President and appointed as CEO of Hyundai AutoEver. Kim previously served as the Group’s head of the Corporate Audit Division and the Human Resources Division. In his new role, Kim is expected to utilize his considerable insight into organizational systems and work processes to further strengthen the company and its software capabilities.
Hyung Keun Bae is promoted to President and appointed as CEO of Hyundai Motor Securities. Bae is a leading financial expert within the Group and enhanced future investments for Hyundai Mobis during his tenure as CFO. He also has insight into the Group’s overall business strategy, having gained experience at a number of Group affiliates, and is expected to focus on bolstering the company’s competitiveness and preemptive risk management.
Byeong Ku Jeon, Head of Corporate Management Unit at Hyundai Card and Hyundai Commercial, is promoted to President. Since joining the company in 1991, Jeon has helped the company overcome numerous crises and is recognized as an expert in risk management. Under his leadership, Hyundai Card and Hyundai Commercial saw a significant growth in operating profits this year and are expected to continue sustainable growth in the mid- to long-term.
The Group newly appointed Hae In Kim as the Head of HR Division at Hyundai Motor Company. A global expert in human resources management, Kim was formerly the Chief Human Resources Officer at British American Tobacco, where she also served as a board member. The appointment is expected to advance and accelerate the diversification of the corporate culture at Hyundai Motor.