Hyundai Motor Company and Kia are completely reorganizing their design organizations to lead future mobility design trends. The design centers, which were separated by brand, have been consolidated into one and elevated to the 'Global Design Headquarters,' with new brand-specific teams established under it.
On the 27th, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia announced the establishment of the Global Design Headquarters. Under the Global Design Headquarters, two new teams were formed: ▲Hyundai Genesis Global Design Team ▲Kia Global Design Team.
Under the Hyundai Genesis Global Design Team, two center-level organizations were reorganized by brand: ▲Hyundai Design Center ▲Genesis Design Center. Notably, the Genesis Design Office, which was previously responsible for the design of Genesis brand models, was promoted to the center-level Genesis Design Center.
With this, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia have established a foundation to further strengthen the design identity of each brand. Hyundai develops vehicle designs based on the design direction of 'Sensuous Sportiness,' Kia on 'Opposites United,' and the Genesis brand on 'Athletic Elegance.'
Luke Donckerwolke President of Hyundai Motor Group Global Design Division [Photo by Hyundai Motor Group]
Along with this organizational restructuring, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia also made personnel changes among design executives. President Luc Donckerwolke was appointed as the Chief Design Officer (CDO) and head of the Global Design Headquarters, overseeing the overall design direction of Hyundai Motor Company and Kia. He will also concurrently hold the role of Chief Creative Officer (CCO), which he previously held.
Additionally, Lee Sang-yup, former head of the Hyundai Design Center, was appointed to lead the Hyundai Genesis Global Design Team, and Karim Habib, former head of the Kia Global Design Center, was appointed to lead the Kia Global Design Team. Both vice presidents plan to establish future design directions and differentiation for their respective brands.
Furthermore, Simon Loasby and Yoon Il-heon were appointed as heads of the Hyundai Design Center and Genesis Design Center, respectively.
President Luc Donckerwolke said, "I expect this reorganization of the design division to be an opportunity for Hyundai Motor Company and Kia to attempt new and innovative designs for future mobility. Through various design challenges in the rapidly changing mobility market, we will expand empathy with our customers."
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