Euisun Chung, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, has been selected as the most influential person in the global automotive industry this year.
MotorTrend announced that Euisun Chung has been named “Person of the Year.” On this day, MotorTrend revealed its ‘2023 MotorTrend Power List’ of 50 individuals, with Chung taking the top spot.
Every year, MotorTrend publishes a Power List of 50 influential figures in the global automotive industry and designates the one with the most influence as ‘Person of the Year.’ The MotorTrend Power List is compiled and ranked based on strict evaluations and confidential votes from MotorTrend editors and advisory members.
Founded in the United States in 1949, MotorTrend is a leading automotive publication, recognized for its reliability and influence in the industry through its monthly circulation of over a million copies and online editions.
MotorTrend highlighted Chung’s insights into the future and his passion for creating a better world.
MotorTrend stated, “Euisun Chung carries insights about where the world and the industry are headed and fulfills his role as a leader in the electric vehicle and future mobility sectors with a passion for creating a better world.”
Chung has consistently expressed that “the essential mission pursued by Hyundai Motor Group is to realize everyone’s dream of ‘safe and free movement and a peaceful life,'” redefining the mobility space not only in electrification, autonomous driving, and connectivity but also in emerging fields such as robotics, advanced air mobility (AAM), smart cities, hydrogen energy solutions, AI, and software.
MotorTrend emphasized, “Euisun Chung is leading Hyundai Motor Group into a new era, demonstrating qualities that exceed those of a typical automotive CEO.”
MotorTrend also shared the surrounding evaluations of Chung as “a pragmatic yet approachable innovator and visionary,” stating, “Euisun Chung has elevated Hyundai Motor Group to a new dimension. His vision and the great company that is becoming Hyundai Motor Group are now making their presence known.”
Regarding the future mobility solutions that Chung envisions, MotorTrend stated, “The grand vision that Euisun Chung pictures encompasses smart cities that include data, technology, and software engineering, as well as countless mobility solutions.”
Giving a special meaning to Chung’s disruptive innovation journey that is transforming Hyundai Motor Group into a future mobility ‘game changer’ during this paradigm shift in the automotive industry and mobility.
MotorTrend also spotlighted Chung’s practical leadership in fostering a culture within Hyundai Motor Group that encourages new initiatives without fear of failure.
MotorTrend explained, “Euisun Chung encourages the company’s executives and staff to take bold challenges based on autonomous empowerment and effective communication.”
There was also significant interest in Chung’s differentiated electrification strategy.
MotorTrend stated, “If Tesla initiated the popularization of electric vehicles, Hyundai has elevated consumer accessibility and invigorated the market by showcasing impressive electric vehicle options across various models, styles, and price ranges.”
MotorTrend continued, “Hyundai Motor Group plans to introduce a new integrated modular architecture that will continue the success of E-GMP in 2025,” adding, “By establishing electric vehicle and battery production facilities, we are building more efficient processes while cooperating on the development of next-generation batteries such as solid-state batteries to expand driving range and reduce costs.”
Chung has stressed to Hyundai Motor Group employees, “While we were fast followers in the internal combustion engine era, we must become the first movers in the electric vehicle era, leading the global electric vehicle market with overwhelming performance and value that surpasses competitors.”
In his New Year message this year, Chung expressed a commitment to “develop and supply more evolved vehicles to solidify global electric vehicle leadership and to continue transitioning to an electrified system.”
MotorTrend praised the products of Hyundai Motor Group leading the market under Chung’s leadership.
MotorTrend expressed that “Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia continue to hit home runs,” stating, “The vehicles of Hyundai Motor Group are becoming increasingly difficult for competitors to contend with due to their eye-catching designs, quality, and reasonable prices.”
The Genesis G90 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 both garnered MotorTrend’s awards for ‘2023 Car of the Year’ and ‘2023 SUV of the Year,’ respectively.
Last year, the Ioniq 5 and EV6 each won the ‘2022 World Car of the Year’ and ‘2022 European Car of the Year,’ sweeping the three prestigious global Car of the Year titles.
Genesis ranked first among premium brands in JD Power’s 2022 surveys for durability and new vehicle quality in the U.S. market.
Besides Euisun Chung, the 2023 MotorTrend Power List also includes Hyundai Motor Group’s CCO Luke Donckerwolke (3rd), Hyundai Motor COO Jose Munoz (10th), Head of Hyundai Design Center SangYup Lee (28th), and Head of Kia Design Center Karim Habib (44th).
Lee Sang-jin, daedusj@autodiary.kr