Hyundai Motor has named José Muñoz as its global Chief Operating Officer. He has also been named President and CEO of both Hyundai Motor North America and Hyundai Motor America.
In his role as COO, Muñoz will oversee global operations strategies and their implementation, with a focus on ensuring profitable growth and to improve the overall performance of Hyundai Motor.
“José Muñoz has an impressive track record and is proven to be a visionary and motivational leader who is adept at all aspects of our business,” said Wonhee Lee, President of Hyundai Motor Company. “His decades of automotive and technology experience make him well suited for this new role as we move the company to the next step.”
Muñoz, 53, was born in Spain and earned a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid. He also has an MBA from Instituto de Empresa (IE) Business School in Madrid, and has completed a couple of executive management programs — one in the U.K., and one in France.
Most recently he held the position of Chief Performance Officer for Nissan Motor Corporation, and he was Chairman of Nissan China. He worked at Nissan for 15 years.
In his role as President and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America and Hyundai Motor America, Muñoz will be responsible for the entire American market — including Hyundai Motor North and Central and South America, as the Head of Hyundai Motor Americas Region.
“Mr. Muñoz is an important hire in further solidifying Hyundai’s overseas business reorganization that was announced last year with the creation of Hyundai Motor North America, among other regional headquarters around the world,” said Hyundai.
