Luc Donckerwolke to head new global design division at Hyundai

Hyundai Motor Group has decided to put all its design activities under one Global Design Division. The Belgian designer Luc Donckerwolke, already President at Hyundai Motor group and Chief Creative Officer, has been asked to lead the Global Design Division as Chief Design Officer (CDO).

The new division has to streamline all design activities, not only to design the future (electric) cars but also other future mobility solutions like specially built vehicles (PBVs), robotics, and advanced air carriers (AAM or advanced air mobility).

Creative surroundings

“In my 32-year career as a car designer, I was able to do what I did thanks to the teamwork,” says Luc Donckerwolke. “I firmly believe that it is my role to create an environment where designers can be utterly creative and lead the way in the necessary transformations.”

‘I’m convinced that this new organization will permit the Hyundai Group to continue taking the lead in identifying the future of the worldwide car industry.” Donckerwolke also keeps its current role of Chief Creative officer.

Hierarchic structure

The new Global Design Division under President Donckerwolke will lead the Hyundai & Genesis Global Design Technical Unit, headed by EVP SangYup Lee, and the Kia Global Design Technical Unit, headed by EVP Karim Habib. Both EVPs will continue to define the direction the design of their respective brands will take.

The Genesis brand gets its own Design Center so that all three head brands can build up a stronger design identity. As all designers like to give their vision rather etherical names, Hyundai is often described as ‘Sensuous Sportiness’, while Kia arbors ‘Opposites United’ and Genesis stands for ‘Athletic Elegance’.

The Genesis Design Center will be led by VP Ilhun Yoon, who until now has been known for his development of the Genesis X Trilogy and the design of the current line-up. The Hyundai Design Center will be led by VP Simon Loasby, the father of the Ionic sub-brand line-up and the sporty N derivatives at the core Hyundai brand.