Hyundai appoints former Bentley design head as VP

Hyundai Motor have appointed SangYup Lee as the company’s vice president of Styling at Hyundai Design Center with effect from June. Lee was formerly the head of Exterior and Advanced Design at Bentley. 

At Hyundai, Lee will be in charge of design strategies and directions and lead design innovations in areas of interior and exterior design, color and materials of Hyundai Motor and Genesis with senior vice president Luc Donckerwolke. 

“The innovative design and surprising growth of Hyundai Motor has always made me proud as a Korean while I worked overseas. Now, I want to contribute in creating world-leading automobile designs for both Hyundai Motor and the Genesis brand,” said SangYup Lee.

Commenting on the new appointment senior vice president Luc Donckerwolke said, “Vice president Lee has proven himself as one of the world’s best automobile designers in the global platform. His design philosophy to pursue new challenges and innovations matches the DNA of Hyundai Motor.”

After graduating from Hongik University Department of Sculpture in Korea and Art Center College of Design in California, Lee began his career at Pininfarina and Porsche Design Center. In 1999, Lee joined General Motors and designed concept cars such as Camaro Concept Vehicle and Corvette Stingray Concept Vehicle.

Further, Lee joined Volkswagen Group of America as chief designer in charge of Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche and Lamborghini design. Since the end of 2012, he has been the head of Exterior and Advanced Design at Bentley Motors.