Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automobilwoche
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News China
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Login
  • HOME
    • Latest news
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • New Product
    • Environment/Emissions
    • Sales By Market
    • On The Move
    • Auto Shows
    • Munich Auto Show
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • Paris Auto Show
    • Beijing Auto Show
    • Shanghai Auto Show
  • Features
    • Long Read
    • Interview of the Month
    • Focus on Electrification
    • Focus on Technology
    • Segment Analysis
    • Cars & Concepts
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Europe By The Numbers
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Commentary
    • Guest columnists
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Geneva Photo Gallery
    • Beijing Photo Gallery
    • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
    • Paris Photo Gallery
    • Shanghai Photo Gallery
  • Europe By The Numbers
  • Car Cutaways
  • Resource Center
  • EVENTS
    • ANE Congress
    • ANE Rising Stars
    • ANE Eurostars
  • More
    • Publishing Partners
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Capgemini: All or nothing: Why circular business models require a holistic approach
    • Capgemini: Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
    • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
    • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    • Capgemini: The circular economy is spurring new thinking on EV batteries
    • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
    • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
    • PUBLICIS SAPIENT: The power of post-purchase: How automakers can maximize customer lifetime value
    • TOYOTA EUROPE: Toyota Motor Europe's next-gen C-HR: sensory innovations revealed by Vehicle UX leader
    • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
    • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
    • Toyota Europe
    • UFI Filters
    • SENSEAUTO: Driving the future of mobility with SenseAuto: The AGI power behind the wheel
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Automotive News Europe
June 18, 2018 01:00 AM

Hyundai, Kia set up new regional HQ structure in Europe, North America

Hans Greimel
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    TOKYO -- Hyundai and Kia are setting up new regional headquarters in Europe and North America in an effort to move decision-making closer to the markets and react more quickly to changing trends and customer demand.

    The changes take effect for both brands July 2 and are the first steps in a global reorganization that will be rolled out to other regions, the South Korean automakers said Monday in separate news releases. Hyundai and Kia are partners in the Hyundai Motor Group.

    Under the new setup, each region will be responsible for "every aspect of the business, ranging from product planning, marketing, sales, and manufacturing," the companies said.

    Each regional headquarters will have divisions handing planning, finance, products and customer experience to "optimize more effective decision-making systems," they said.

    The move mirrors similar efforts by competitors, including Toyota, Honda and Volkswagen Group, to delegate more independence and authority to regional operations.

    As big automakers have grown into sprawling international juggernauts, handing decision-making power to executives closest to the customer is seen as a key weapon in slashing bureaucracy.

    Hyundai and Kia said the reorganization will spur growth and innovation.

    The change may also address a criticism often leveled against the South Korean automakers: Their management is too top-down and stultifying of regional initiative.

    The Hyundai Motor North America Headquarters will encompass Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, the company's production hub for the Americas and three sales units: Hyundai Motor America, Hyundai Motor Canada and Hyundai Motor Mexico.

    Executive Vice President Lee Yong-woo will leave his current position as head of Hyundai Motor Brazil to oversee the newly established regional headquarters.

    The Hyundai Motor Europe Headquarters will expand Hyundai Motor Europe's current role beyond sales, bringing under its wing Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech and Hyundai Assan Otomotiv Sanayi ve Ticaret, its manufacturing joint venture in Turkey.

    Choi Dong-woo, currently head of the European operations division in Seoul, will take on the role as head of the new regional headquarters and be promoted to executive vice president.

    The Kia Motors North America Headquarters will cover Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia and Kia Motors Mexico, the company's production hubs for the Americas, and three sales units: Kia Motors America, Kia Motors Canada and Kia Motors Mexico, its local sales arm. The new regional headquarters will be led by Executive Vice President Rhim Byung-kwon.

    Kia Motors Europe Headquarters will roll Kia Motors Slavaki into Kia Motors Europe's current role overseeing sales. Park Yong-kew, senior vice president for European operations at corporate headquarters, will be promoted to executive vice president to lead the unit.

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    EU trade chief to tell China that retaliation is a bad idea
    Recommended for You
    EU trade chief to tell China that retaliation is a bad idea
    EU trade chief to tell China that retaliation is a bad idea
    Joerg Lamparter Mercedes 2023 Eurostar
    2023 Eurostar winner Joerg Lamparter of Mercedes-Benz
    Mark Zhou Nio 2023 Eurostar
    2023 Eurostar winner Mark Zhou of Nio
    Dr. Kai Yu, Founder and CEO of Horizon Robotics
    Sponsored Content: Interview with Dr. Yu Kai, Founder and CEO of Horizon Robotics
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News Europe delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Founded in 1996, Automotive News Europe is the preferred information source for decision-makers and opinion leaders operating in Europe.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI  48207-2997
    Tel: +1 877-812-1584

    Email Us

    ISSN 2643-6590 (print)
    ISSN 2643-6604 (online)

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
      • Latest news
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • New Product
      • Environment/Emissions
      • Sales By Market
      • On The Move
      • Auto Shows
        • Munich Auto Show
        • Geneva Auto Show
        • Paris Auto Show
        • Beijing Auto Show
        • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Features
      • Long Read
      • Interview of the Month
      • Focus on Electrification
      • Focus on Technology
      • Segment Analysis
      • Cars & Concepts
      • Supplier Spotlight
      • Europe By The Numbers
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
      • Commentary
      • Guest columnists
    • Photos
      • Photo Galleries
      • Geneva Photo Gallery
      • Beijing Photo Gallery
      • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
      • Paris Photo Gallery
      • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • Europe By The Numbers
    • Car Cutaways
    • Resource Center
    • EVENTS
      • ANE Congress
      • ANE Rising Stars
      • ANE Eurostars
    • More
      • Publishing Partners
        • Capgemini: All or nothing: Why circular business models require a holistic approach
        • Capgemini: Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
        • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
        • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
        • Capgemini: The circular economy is spurring new thinking on EV batteries
        • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
        • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
        • PUBLICIS SAPIENT: The power of post-purchase: How automakers can maximize customer lifetime value
        • TOYOTA EUROPE: Toyota Motor Europe's next-gen C-HR: sensory innovations revealed by Vehicle UX leader
        • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
        • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
        • Toyota Europe
        • UFI Filters
        • SENSEAUTO: Driving the future of mobility with SenseAuto: The AGI power behind the wheel
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • About Us