[Exclusive] Randy Parker, North America CEO: "Korea and the U.S. Are Partners in Hyundai's Global Top-Three Automaker Rise" [Hyundai Motor's 40 Years in the U.S.]

First Interview with Korean Media by Hyundai Motor Company's Head of North America Regional Headquarters
"Focusing on Value, Choice, and Trust Despite Changes in U.S. Policy Incentives"
Record-Breaking Performance for Five Consecutive Years...Contri

Editor's NoteThis year marks the 40th anniversary of Hyundai Motor Company's entry into the United States. Its expansion into the U.S. became the solid foundation on which Hyundai Motor Group grew into a true "global top-three automaker." We look back on Hyundai Motor Company's journey from a brand once criticized for low quality despite low prices to a frontrunner leading the era of future mobility.

Parker Randy, Head of Hyundai Motor Company's North America Regional Headquarters and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), stated, "Even if U.S. government policies or incentives change, Hyundai Motor Company will remain focused on maintaining its competitiveness in the U.S. market by prioritizing value, choice, and trust."

In an interview with The Asia Business Daily at the end of last month to mark the 40th anniversary of Hyundai Motor Company's entry into the United States, he stressed, "Over the past 40 years, Hyundai Motor Company has contributed to America's growth and innovation through job creation, revitalization of local economies, and long-term investment." This was his first interview with a Korean media outlet.

Parker Randy, Head of North America Regional Headquarters and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hyundai Motor Company

CEO Parker said, "Over the past 40 years, Hyundai Motor Company started with the Excel (Pony Excel) and has developed a broad product portfolio tailored to the diverse needs of consumers," describing this as "offering a wide range of choices (a seat for every purse)." He continued, "Last year, we closed out our fifth consecutive year of record-breaking performance," adding, "We have consistently provided eco-friendly vehicles with beautiful design, a safety-centered philosophy, and the technologies customers want, and these results are the outcome of those efforts."

Last year, Hyundai Motor Company sold 901,686 vehicles in the United States, a 7.8% increase from the previous year. Despite challenges such as import tariffs imposed following the launch of the Donald Trump administration and the termination of eco-friendly tax benefits, the company delivered remarkable results. In particular, it stimulated demand from large-vehicle customers through a diverse lineup of sport utility vehicles (SUVs), and, thanks to its swift electrification strategy, achieved all-time record sales in both hybrids (189,881 units) and electric vehicles (69,533 units).

CEO Parker explained, "Electrified models accounted for 30% of our total retail sales, and hybrid and electric vehicle sales increased by 36% and 7%, respectively, compared with the previous year," adding, "As production of the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9 at the Metaplant ramps up in earnest, our local electric vehicle production base is being strengthened, and preparations for future growth are proceeding smoothly."

Including Genesis, Hyundai Motor Company has set a global sales target of 4.16 million units for this year. The U.S. market is a key pillar in achieving this goal. CEO Parker said, "From the new Palisade to sedans, SUVs, hybrids, and electric vehicles, our current lineup is stronger than ever," and added, "We will further promote these strengths and solidify trust not only with existing customers but also with potential customers."

Parker Randy, Head of North America Regional Headquarters and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Hyundai Motor Company

Regarding specific strategies to achieve the target, he said, "We are focused on providing the right products at the right time and on optimizing our product portfolio and supply strategy," expressing confidence that "this can be achieved through close collaboration with our dealer partners and by introducing vehicles that resonate with U.S. consumers."

He was particularly candid about his expectations for hybrids as an option in the transition to electrification. He said, "Hyundai Motor Company's hybrids are highly rated for their overall value, including advanced technology and standard safety features, excellent performance and fuel efficiency, comfort, and design," and added, "U.S. consumers can fully appreciate how attractive our wide hybrid lineup is, which consists of the Elantra, Sonata, Tucson, Santa Fe, and Palisade."

CEO Parker cited "innovation" as the most important factor Hyundai Motor Company must uphold in the U.S. market over the next 10 years. He said, "Electrification is at the core of our long-term strategy, but at the same time we must provide a variety of options, including hybrids, plug-in hybrids, internal combustion engines, and hydrogen, so that we can respond swiftly to changes in the market and in policy."

He went on to say, "Another key element is continued investment in production and supply chain flexibility within the United States," adding, "This is crucial for securing competitiveness, managing costs, and maintaining price accessibility, and it demonstrates Hyundai Motor Company's commitment to U.S. manufacturing."

He pointed to meeting the demands of U.S. consumers as the secret to sustaining Hyundai Motor Company's success in the American market. He said, "Even if the environment changes, we will focus on the factors we can control," and added, "Through a systematic and consistent approach that includes providing safe, high-quality vehicles, delivering the best sales and service experience, and maintaining competitiveness in pricing and incentives, we will reliably offer the value and choices that U.S. consumers expect."

Parker Randy, Head of Hyundai Motor North America Regional Headquarters and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Hyundai Motor Company.

CEO Parker spent 25 years at General Motors (GM), where he was responsible for sales, marketing, and finance, and later led North American operations at Nissan and Infiniti. He joined Hyundai Motor Company in 2019 as Vice President in charge of sales at its U.S. subsidiary, and in January last year he succeeded Hyundai Motor Company President Jose Munoz to become Head of the North America Regional Headquarters.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.