Kia Motors America’s president Michael Cole to take charge of Hyundai Motor Europe

Kia Motors America’s president to join regional HQ on 1 July 2020, taking responsibility for Hyundai’s European commercial and manufacturing operations

By Autocar Professional Bureau

19 Jun 2020

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Cole has held various senior management positions with the Kia brand during the last 11 years – most recently as President of Kia Motors America.

Hyundai Motor has announced that Michael Cole will join the European regional headquarters in the position of President and CEO, starting on 1 July 2020. With this new appointment, he will continue his extensive career with the Hyundai Motor Group, having held various senior management positions with the Kia brand during the last 11 years – most recently as President of Kia Motors America. He takes over from Dongwoo Choi, who held the role for the last two years.

Cole brings a range of valuable experiences to his new position, having fulfilled senior roles at a national and regional level. As well as his most recent roles in Kia Motors America, he also served as Chief Operating Officer of Kia Motors Europe and, prior to that, Managing Director of Kia Motors UK. Throughout his time with the Kia brand, he has helped to drive forward all areas of strategy and operations – from sales, marketing and product to customer service and retail.

Dongwoo Choi joined Hyundai Motor Europe in 2018, and since then he has successfully led the business through its transformation to a regional headquarter. Established under his leadership, the new-look organisation now encompasses the two regional manufacturing plants in Czech Republic and Turkey, as well as having greater autonomy to spur sustainable growth and enhance innovation. Mr Choi has held a number of prior senior positions within Hyundai, including head of European Operations Division at the global headquarter and President of Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech.

In 2020 Hyundai is renewing its whole European product line-up, including a number of new electrified models. The company offers the most diverse range of powertrains on the market, and over three-quarters of its fleet is available as an electrified version. This year the company has already launched its all-new i10 and unveiled its all-new i20, the new i30 family and the new Santa Fe, with other highlights still to come within this year.