Hyundai Motor Group R&D Leadership Changes Generation... Software Expert Kim Yonghwa Appointed

Hyundai Motor Group appointed Kim Yong-hwa, Vice President and Head of the Vehicle Control Development Center as well as the Head of the Research and Development Planning and Coordination Office, as the new Chief of the Research and Development Division on the 25th. The former chief, Park Jung-guk, stepped down from his frontline position and was appointed as an advisor. The company usually conducts major executive personnel changes around the end of the year, but this time made a one-point personnel announcement.

The new chief, Kim, is an expert in vehicle control development who joined Hyundai Motor Group from Ford in the United States in 2015. According to the company, at Ford, he was recognized as a global authority by applying independently developed engine control software (SW) to mass-produced vehicles as a technical expert. He will officially start his duties on the 1st of next month.

Kim Yong-hwa, New Head of Research and Development at Hyundai Motor Group

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After joining Hyundai Motor Group, Kim held various positions in the R&D division, including Head of Powertrain (PT) Control Development, Head of Vehicle Control Development Center, and Head of the Research and Development Planning and Coordination Office. He has experience across hardware and software, mass production development, advanced development, vehicles, and new businesses. While in charge of vehicle control development, he handled major tasks such as integrated hardware and software strategies across the vehicle, including infotainment, electronics, autonomous driving, chassis, and PT, as well as integration of vehicle controllers.

As the Head of the Research and Development Planning and Coordination Office, he formulated electrification transition and development strategies and investment plans. The company described him as "the right person to establish a software-centered R&D system amid the global automotive industry's transition to software-defined vehicles (SDV)."

The cradle of research and development for Hyundai Motor Group is the Hyundai Kia Technical Research Center, commonly known as Namyang Research Center.

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This personnel change has been viewed inside and outside the company as a generational shift. The current chief, Park Jung-guk, was born in 1957, making him eight years older than the new chief Kim. This is the first time since the early 2000s, when Hyundai Motor Group became a global automaker, that a vice president-level executive has been appointed as the head of the R&D division. Previously, this position was held by presidents or vice chairmen, including Park. The head of Hyundai Motor Group’s R&D division leads the Hyundai Motor and Kia Technical Research Institutes (Namyang Research Center) and is considered the core brain of the group, which is centered on finished vehicles.

Jungkuk Park, Head of Research and Development Division at Hyundai Motor Group

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Park joined Hyundai Motor Company in 1984 and held key R&D positions such as Director of the U.S. Technical Research Center and Head of the Performance Development Center. He is regarded as a living witness to Hyundai Motor Group’s R&D. He also served as CEO of major affiliates including Hyundai Mobis, Hyundai Kefico, and Hyundai NGV. He succeeded Albert Biermann, the former chief who stepped down at the end of 2021. Park is credited with leading the paradigm shift in R&D from a multi-business perspective, including electric vehicles, robotics, batteries, and hydrogen. He is also said to have made significant contributions to improving the organizational culture of the R&D division.

Hyundai Motor Group stated, "This personnel change is intended to lead the paradigm shift in the automotive industry," and added, "We will continue to appoint personnel who can lead change and innovation, as well as demonstrate performance and capability."

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