Kia Motors Europe has appointed Emilio Herrera as its new Chief Operating Officer. He replaces Michael Cole, who is set to take up a senior role elsewhere in the global Kia Motors organisation. Herrera will be based at Kia’s European headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, working alongside the company’s president, Yong Kew Park.

Herrera will be responsible for sustaining the brand’s sales growth, as Kia targets more than 500,000 sales in Europe in 2018. He will also oversee the roll-out of a range of new advanced powertrain vehicles, with 16 new models planned for launch by 2025 – including an all-new fuel-cell electric vehicle in 2020.

Herrera brings with him more than 20 years’ experience in the European automotive sector. He has held the role of Managing Director for Kia Motors Iberia since December 2012. Prior to this, he was Managing Director for Kia Motors Belgium. Cole has been Chief Operating Officer for Kia Motors Europe since November 2012. He has overseen an unprecedented 40 per cent sales growth for the Korean brand in Europe, outpacing the 27 per cent growth in the recovering European market. In 2013, Cole’s first full year as COO, Kia Motors Europe sold 337,972 units and recorded a 2.7 per cent market share. 472,125 sales in 2017 led to a 3.0 per cent share of the European market. Michael Cole commented, “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time in Frankfurt, helping Kia grow its sales, market share and brand awareness across the region.”

On his appointment as COO of Kia Motors Europe, Emilio Herrera said: “Michael leaves Kia’s European business in a very strong position, and l look forward to working to maintain the company’s impressive growth in the region.”