Hyundai Motor Group Appoints Peter Schreyer To Head Hyundai, Kia
Design Centers
SEOUL, South
Korea, Jan. 13,
2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor Group,
led by Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors Corp., today announced
that Peter Schreyer was appointed as
President to oversee Hyundai and Kia's design centers in order to
streamline its resources and create synergy between the two
brands.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130113/LA41548)
(Logo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20091001/HYUNDAILOGO)
The move is also part of the Hyundai Motor Group's bigger
efforts to strengthen its competitiveness through qualitative
growth.
"Strengthening our fundamentals, especially in the area of
design, is imperative to secure long-term competitiveness," said
Woong-Chul Yang, Vice Chairman of
Hyundai Motor Group's R&D Center in Korea. "Design is not just
the most visible aspect of the car, but it's an area customers have
a strong emotional connection to. It is at the center of our
efforts to enhance our brand value. "
"Mr. Schreyer brings a wealth of experience in design from
the global auto industry and has a deep understanding of the
Hyundai Motor Group. These valuable qualities will help build the
foundation needed to make Hyundai and Kia leading global top
automakers," added Mr. Yang.
On Jan. 2., the Group
announced 'Brand Innovation based on Quality' as this year's
management direction during a new year speech delivered by
Mong-Koo Chung, Chairman and CEO of
Hyundai Motor Group.
Both Hyundai and Kia have come a long way in terms of
design, under their own unique design philosophies, 'Fluidic
Sculpture' and 'The simplicity of the straight line',
respectively.
Hyundai Motor introduced its new design philosophy
'Fluidic Sculpture' in 2009 and applied it to its entire lineup,
starting from the new-generation Sonata that year. In addition to
increased production capabilities worldwide, the new designs
contributed to significant sales growth in the global
market.
Kia also created its own design-DNA called 'The simplicity
of the straight line', led by Mr. Schreyer in 2006, and applied it
to its entire lineup. Kia's design management has proven
successful, winning awards such as the red dot design award and iF
design award.
Mr. Schreyer will lead the long-term design vision and
strategy for Hyundai and Kia, based on the Group's vision. In
particular, by overseeing the Group's design resources, he will
further cement the two brands' differentiation strategies according
to each company's brand direction.
<Career Highlights>
- 1953
Born in Bad Reichenhall,
Deutschland
- 1975~79
Industrial Design
School of Applied Arts, Munich
Royal College of Art, London
- 1994-2002 – Head of Audi Design
- 2002-2006 Head of
Volkswagen Design
- 2006~2012 Chief Design Officer of
Kia Motors Corp.
- 2013~present Appointed President of Hyundai, Kia Design
Center
About Hyundai Motor
Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Co. has grown into
the Hyundai Motor Group, with more than two dozen auto-related
subsidiaries and affiliates. Hyundai Motor -- which has seven
manufacturing bases outside of South
Korea including Brazil,
China, the Czech Republic, India, Russia, Turkey and the U.S. -- sold 4.4 million
vehicles globally in 2012. Hyundai Motor, which employs over 80,000
worldwide, offers a full line-up of products including small to
large passenger vehicles, SUVs and commercial vehicles. Further
information about Hyundai Motor and its products is available at
http://worldwide.hyundai.com
About Kia Motors
Kia
Motors Corporation (www.kia.com), a maker of quality vehicles for
the young-at-heart, was founded in 1944 and is Korea's oldest
manufacturer of motor vehicles. Over 2.7 million Kia vehicles a
year are produced in 15 manufacturing and assembly operations in
ten countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of
distributors and dealers covering 149 countries. Kia today has over
47,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues of US$39 billion. It is the major sponsor of the
Australian Open and an official automotive partner of FIFA - the
governing body of the FIFA World Cup™. Kia Motors Corporation's
brand slogan, "The Power to Surprise," represents the company's
global commitment to surprise the world by providing exciting and
inspiring experiences that go beyond expectations.
SOURCE Hyundai Motor America