Hyundai Motor Company to be led by new Spanish CEO

For the first time, a non-Korean chief executive is set to lead the Hyundai Motor Company.

Effective January 1, 2025, the Hyundai Motor Company has announced the appointment of José Muñoz as the company’s president and CEO. Muñoz is set to succeed Jaehoon Chang, the current president and CEO who has been promoted to Vice Chair of Hyundai Motor Group.

Muñoz, 59, a native of Spain and a U.S. citizen, earned his Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from Polytechnic University of Madrid and earned an Executive MBA from IE Business School in Madrid. He has also completed executive management programs from Cranfield School of Management in the U.K. and INSEAD Business School in France. He is fluent in English, Spanish and French.

Prior to joining Hyundai, Muñoz was the Chief Performance Officer for Nissan Motor Corporation and the Chairman of Nissan China and North America. During his 15-year tenure, he achieved significant profit growth and record sales. He also held multiple management positions at Toyota Motor Europe.

Muñoz joined Hyundai Motor Company in 2019 as President and Global Chief Operating Officer and President and CEO of Hyundai and Genesis Motor North America. In 2022, Muñoz was announced to the Hyundai Motor Company Board of Directors with expanded responsibilities to include Europe, India, Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. He also led global sales, service and product planning as part of the Global Operations Division.

In addition, Muñoz drove a profitability-focused sales structure through optimized volume and profit management. This resulted in record sales, market share growth and financial performance for both the Hyundai and Genesis brands in the North American market, contributing to the Group’s achievement of ranking in the top three of global automotive companies by sales.

As the new president and CEO, Muñoz will oversee the execution of the company’s customer-focused vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’, building on its leadership position in next-generation mobility, including electrification, diversified powertrain offerings and hydrogen technology. He will also focus on advancing the company’s global management system to further strengthen Hyundai Motor’s status as a global brand.