Hyundai Motor America Looking for Another CEO
After barely a year in the biggest office at Hyundai Motor America, CEO Kyung Soo Lee has returned to South Korea, leaving the automaker’s American arm looking for a new boss. Lee served as an interim leader after Hyundai sacked former CEO Dave Zuchowski in December 2016, taking on the top spot last September.
The CEO search comes as Hyundai attempts to reverse falling sales in the United States with a product offensive. There’s also a engine fire problem the feds want Hyundai to answer to.
According to a Hyundai spokesperson, there’s no named replacement. The former CEO will serve as an advisor to the company after returning to the automaker’s home base. One thing’s for sure — Lee won’t have to appear before the Senate Commerce Committee on November 14th alongside a representative from the automaker’s Kia sister division.
In late June, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched an investigation into non-collision fires in certain Hyundai and Kia models. Safety groups have called for a massive recall of 3 million vehicles from the 2011 to 2014 model years. At this point, neither Hyundai nor Kia have agreed to appear before the committee.
After being caught off guard by the crossover wave sweeping the American populace, Hyundai unveiled a product plan flush with the high-riding vehicles. No longer able to count on Elantras, Accents, and Sonatas for American volume, the automaker introduced the Kona subcompact crossover earlier this year, following it up with a larger Santa Fe as a replacement for the Santa Fe Sport. The old Santa Fe, renamed the Santa Fe XL, disappears next year, replaced by a brawnier vehicle that’ll probably carry the Palisade name. There’s also a slightly refreshed Tucson appearing for the 2019 model year.
While Lee’s departure from HMA was the top Hyundai headline in the U.S. on Monday, it wasn’t the only news making ripples. The automaker announced Monday that it will create two new business units — one focused on mobility and emerging technologies, the other on hydrogen fuel cell vehicle development.
[Source: Automotive News Europe] [Image: Hyundai]
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"The automaker announced Monday that it will create two new business units — one focused on mobility and emerging technologies, the other on hydrogen fuel cell vehicle development." They have built two new altars on which to sacrifice virgin dollars and won. Hoping to appease the gods of "market forces".
Hyundai needs to improve their gas mileage numbers. Toyota and Honda cars and SUV's are much better. New 2019 Santa Fe AWD gets 24 mpg .... new Rav4 and CRV are in the 30+mpg