Seoul, South Korea, November 14, 2024 – Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) has announced the appointment of José Muñoz as its new President and CEO, effective January 1, 2025. Muñoz will take over from Jaehoon Chang, who has been promoted to Vice Chair of Hyundai Motor Group – Automotive Division.
Muñoz will lead Hyundai Motor Company’s global business operations, driving the company’s vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’, which emphasizes next-generation mobility solutions such as electrification, diversified powertrains, and hydrogen technology. Additionally, he will advance Hyundai’s global management system, further cementing the company’s position as a leading global brand.
“José is a proven leader with vast global experience and is ideally suited to lead Hyundai as competitiveness and business uncertainty increases,” said Jaehoon Chang, Vice Chair of Hyundai Motor Group. “Together with José and the rest of our leadership team, the future is very bright for Hyundai.”
Expressing his enthusiasm for the role, Muñoz added, “Succeeding in this challenging industry requires excellence throughout the value chain, from design and engineering, to manufacturing, sales and service, along with a talented team that’s able to deliver every step of the way. I’m excited and motivated by the challenge ahead and want to continue Hyundai’s growth trajectory and laser-focus on exceeding customer expectations.”
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. In 2022, his responsibilities were expanded to include Europe, India, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific, along with global sales, service, and product planning.
During his tenure, he implemented a profitability-focused sales structure that resulted in record sales, market share growth, and financial performance for both Hyundai and Genesis in North America. Muñoz was instrumental in leading a $12.6 billion investment to establish the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America production facility and two battery joint ventures in Georgia.
Before joining Hyundai, Muñoz served as Chief Performance Officer at Nissan Motor Corporation and Chairman of Nissan China and North America, achieving significant profit growth and record sales. He also held leadership roles at Toyota Motor Europe.
Muñoz, 59, is a native of Spain and a U.S. citizen. He holds a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from Polytechnic University of Madrid and an Executive MBA from IE Business School in Madrid. He has completed executive management programs at Cranfield School of Management (U.K.) and INSEAD (France) and is fluent in English, Spanish, and French.
About Hyundai Motor Company
Founded in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company operates in over 200 countries with more than 120,000 employees dedicated to tackling real-world mobility challenges. Guided by the brand vision ‘Progress for Humanity’, Hyundai is transforming into a Smart Mobility Solution Provider, investing in cutting-edge technologies like robotics and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). Hyundai is committed to creating a sustainable future through its zero-emission vehicles, leveraging industry-leading hydrogen fuel cell and electric vehicle (EV) technologies.
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