Both Hyundai and Kia today announced major organisational changes to their overseas business to allow for greater autonomy in selected markets. Hyundai’s first step was to establish new headquarters for the United States, India and Europe. Kia on the other hand only gets regional headquarters in the US and Europe.
Each regional unit’s responsibilities will extend across every aspect of the business, ranging from product planning, marketing, sales, and manufacturing. It will operate with greater integration, to actively respond to rapidly evolving market trends and customers’ needs. Each regional headquarters will also have functional divisions for planning, finance, products and customer experience, so it can secure and optimize more effective decision-making systems within each region.
Hyundai’s Changes
The newly-launched 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 Yong-woo Lee, will leave his current position as head of Hyundai Motor Brazil, to oversee operations of the newly established the regional headquarters. Hyundai Motor Europe Headquarters will expand Hyundai Motor Europe (HME)’s current role beyond sales operations, bringing under its wing Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech (HMMC) and Hyundai Assan Otomotiv Sanayi Ve Ticaret (HAOS: Turkey manufacturing joint venture). Dong-woo Choi, currently head of European Operations Division in Seoul, will take on the role as head of the new regional headquarters, and be promoted to executive vice president.
Hyundai Motor India Headquarters will support the company to further enhance operations in the market, under the leadership of executive vice president Young-key Koo, the current managing director of Hyundai Motor India.
Current HME president Hyung-cheong Kim will be promoted to executive vice president to take charge of the Global Operations Division at Hyundai’s headquarters in Seoul.
Kia’s Changes
