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High-rise building: JW Lee has vowed to build on Hyundai’s successes in Australia as it develops its core brand and new N performance sub-brand, along with its fledgling Genesis luxury marque.

High-rise building: JW Lee has vowed to build on Hyundai’s successes in Australia as it develops its core brand and new N performance sub-brand, along with its fledgling Genesis luxury marque.

HYUNDAI Motor Company Australia has appointed Jung Wook (JW) Lee as chief executive, replacing Chul-Hwan (Charlie) Kim who has relocated to Washington DC to take on a senior operations role for the company.

Mr Lee comes to HMCA in Sydney directly from Hyundai Motor in Seoul, South Korea, where most recently he served as head of export planning and management.

He also has experience working for Hyundai Motor India, where he was senior general manager, and as head of sales for the Asia-Pacific region.

“Australia is one of the world’s most successful Hyundai markets in terms of overall market share, and I join the Australian operation as we enter the most exciting time in our company’s history,” Mr Lee said.

“I will strive to build on our successes as we develop our brands – not only Hyundai, but also Genesis and N High Performance – and launch some fantastic new models in the years to come.”

Charlie Kim

Charlie Kim

Mr Kim was appointed to the top job at HMCA in January 2013, replacing Edward Lee who had been promoted to head of the South Korean car-maker’s international sales division, based in Korea.

Prior to relocating to Australia, Mr Kim was head of the overseas marketing group, while earlier in his career he worked for Hyundai in various markets including India and the United States.

During Mr Kim’s tenure at HMCA, Hyundai’s sales have climbed from 91,500 in 2012 to 102,000 last year, with new registrations this year running at about the same rate, up 0.5 per cent to the end of September.

The brand’s market share has risen from 8.2 per cent in 2012 to 8.8 per cent last year (and YTD).

By Terry Martin

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