Hyundai Motor continues to hire world-class designers

[Newsprime] Hyundai Motor Group, South Korea's top automotive group and the world's fifth-largest automaker, has been aggressively recruiting world-class designers to strengthen its brand competitiveness including Hyundai Motor (005380), Kia Motors (000270), and Genesis. 

Recently, Hyundai Motor Group appointed former NIO design director Juho Suh as Vice President and Head of Hyundai Design Innovation Group, former IFINITI design director Karim Habib as Senior Vice President and Head of Kia Design Center, and former Lamborghini design chief Filippo Perini as Chief Designer of Global Genesis Advanced Design Studio in Europe. 

Juho Suh (left), Karim Habib (middle), and Filippo Perini (right).

"Hyundai is trying to advance its competitiveness in design by consecutively recruiting world-class designers," an industry expert said. 

Suh, who first joined Hyundai Motor Group since July 16, is considered to be one of the most successful Korean designers in the global automotive industry.

Suh leads design innovation and solutions for future mobility technologies, boosting Hyundai’s agility in adapting to future industry trends. He also took on a role to promote convergence and collaboration with other departments besides design. 

With Suh's nearly two decades of industry experience, including at an electric vehicle (EV) startup, his appointment is expected to further strengthen Hyundai’s competitive edge. In particular, Suh’s experience in designing high-performance EVs is anticipated to take the company’s EV designs to the next level. 

In addition, a synergy effect is expected to happen between Suh and Sang Yup Lee, Senior Vice President and Head of Hyundai Design Center. Previously at General Motors, Suh and Lee had worked on a joint project. 

"I am confident that Suh will greatly enhance our ability to spread our design philosophy to the next generation of vehicles," Lee said in a statement. "His vast experience will advance Hyundai’s long design tradition to meet the rapidly-changing needs of our customers in this dynamic new era." 

Karim Habib is also expected to join Kia Motors Corporation, a part of Hyundai Motor Group, starting from October as senior vice president. Habib will help determine the future design strategy and direction of the Kia brand, and oversee design innovation across the board including Kia’s exterior, interior, color, and material teams. 

In particular, Habib has been recognized for his ability to reflect the brand's identity in his designs. His most recent role was as executive design director at INFINITI Motor Company, overseeing the brand’s latest concept vehicles design. He also worked at BMW and Daimler AG. 

Based on his twenty years of experience leading major design projects for premium brands, he is expected to further strengthen Kia's competitiveness in design. 

“Kia is on a determined path toward electrification and mobility innovation,” Habib said. “I am thrilled to take part in that process, and believe design is at the center of that transformation." 

“With his international background, Habib will be an asset for Kia,” Luc Donckerwolke, Executive Vice President and Chief Design Officer of Hyundai Motor Group, said in a statement. “We believe that he will project the Kia brand into the future of mobility and reinforce the design team.” 

Lastly, Filippo Perini is expected to join Hyundai Motor Group as chief designer at Genesis Advanced Design in Europe starting from September 16. He will collaborate with designers in South Korea as well. 

Due to his acclaimed reputation and experience with European premium brands, Perini is anticipated to enhance the design of Genesis vehicles and their overall competitiveness. 

Furthermore, his design philosophy to pursue innovation is not only in line with the brand but is also expected to play a significant role in streamlining the vehicle production schedule at Genesis. 

"Filippo's experience with European luxury brands makes him an ideal fit to lead the Genesis Advanced Design Studio," said Donckerwolke in a statement. "His insight will be instrumental for the development of each of our upcoming projects including both advanced and production designs."