Hyundai Motor India’s SS Kim to return to Korea, Unsoo Kim to take charge

There is change at the helm of Hyundai Motor India, the country No. 2 passenger vehicle manufacturer. The Korean carmaker today announced the appointment of Unsoo Kim as its new Managing Director from January 1, 2022. S S Kim, the current Managing Director, has been elevated to a global role at Hyundai Motor Company headquarters in Seoul after his successful stint of three years in India. SS Kim was appointed to the role on December 4, 2018.

SS Kim has played a key role in Hyundai Motor India’s growth over the past three years. In FY2019, HMIL sold a total of 545,243 units and had a PV market share of 16% and a 13% UV market share. In FY2021, with 471,535 units in what was a Covid-impacted year, the carmaker had a PV market share of 17%. Importantly, in sync with the growing demand for SUVs in India, HMIL grew its UV market share to 20%.

Hyundai Motor India’s MD, who was one of Autocar Professional’s Newsmakers of CY2020, has been relentless with a product blitz while conveying a strong statement on technology. Critics may argue that group company Kia is grabbing the spotlight but Hyundai under Kim kept surging. The focus on diesel, even as arch rival Maruti Suzuki exited that market in April 2020, continues to win buyers for some key Hyundai models. And more recently, there is a new and heightened focus on electric, particularly in light of the company’s recently announcement of a six-EV strategy for India by 2028.

In his latest interview with Autocar Professional, which appears in the 17^th Anniversary Issue, Kim has spoken extensively about the dynamic strategy the Korean carmaker has for the Indian EV market.

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