Just Auto

Daily Newsletter

02 November 2023

Daily Newsletter

Hyundai Motor Group revamps its design organisation

Luc Donckerwolke to be appointed Chief Design Officer

Dani Cole November 02 2023

Hyundai Motor Group has announced the establishment of the Hyundai Motor Group Global Design Division.

The new division will spearhead Hyundai’s efforts to design all-electric vehicles and future mobility solutions, including purpose-built vehicles (PBVs), robotics, and advanced air mobility (AAM).

Luc Donckerwolke, Hyundai Motor Group’s President, will be appointed Chief Design Officer (CDO), heading the Global Design Division.

He also retains his current role as Chief Creative Officer (CCO), leading all design creatives aspects for the Hyundai Motor Group brands including future mobility, AAM and Robotics.

Mr Donckerwolke said: “I am confident the new organisation will enable the Group to continue to lead the way in determining the future of the global mobility industry.”

The new Global Design Division will encompass the Hyundai & Genesis Global Design Technical Unit.

Alongside the organisational changes, a new Genesis Design Center is founded under the Hyundai & Genesis Global Design Technical Unit, allowing each mobility brand within the Group - Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis to benefit from its own design ethos.

High upfront costs could be detrimental towards the growth of the off-highway EV market

The global off-highway electric market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 17.4% by 2030, per GlobalData. Despite the strong growth, high upfront costs may pose a challenge. Due to the high capacity of these vehicles, they consume large amounts of power from a number of battery packs installed on the vehicle, whose high cost in turn adds to the cost of the vehicle, thereby increasing the initial cost. However, governments worldwide are offering subsidies and tax exemptions in order to help customers to counter the initial purchase cost.