Hyundai’s Euisun Chung is MotorTrend’s person of the year for 2023

Hyundai is on a roll this 2023, with the Korean brand already earning accolades from the California-based magazine MotorTrend. First, their mild-hybrid luxury sedan the Genesis G90 earns MotorTrend’s car of the year award for its innovative design and an equally advanced new engine. Second, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 bags their SUV of the year award thanks to its futuristic design, performance, and most importantly, its value for money.

Now, Hyundai’s chairman Euisun Chung secures the top podium spot in MotorTrend’s person of the year for 2023. Each year, the MotorTrend power list ranks 50 of the most influential people in the global automotive industry. Euisun Chung has made this list before, slowly progressing from the twelfth position back in 2018 and rising to number five in 2022.

According to MotorTrend, Euisun Chung earned this recognition for “leading Hyundai into a new age.” Before being chairman of Hyundai though, Chung has taken the time to learn the industry he will inherit from the ground up. Chung worked in smaller roles in the parts and service division of what is now known as Hyundai Mobis, he also experienced working in procurement, IT, sales, marketing, after-sales, and corporate planning. When he became the president of Hyundai’s sister company, Chung strived to make Kia grow before moving back into the parent company Hyundai Motor Group and assuming responsibility for its day-to-day operations.

Hyundai’s mission to become a leader in electric vehicles and advanced mobility is influenced by Chung’s grasp of the direction the world and industry are taking. MotorTrend praises Hyundai’s current offering of electric vehicles for being genuinely attractive products with innovative technology while still being affordable. MotorTrend even goes so far as to say that while Tesla popularized the electric car, Hyundai Motor Group democratizes them, making them accessible to the masses.

Before Chung was at the helm, previous leaders of the Hyundai Motor Group brought all aspects of car production in-house. A wildly different direction than other manufacturers were taking as the tried and tested method are to simply outsource parts that are not vital. Chung is taking inspiration from this line of thinking and putting his own spin on it. He wants Hyundai to also be able to produce its own data, tech, and software engineering.

This January, at a town hall meeting at Hyundai Motor Group’s Namyang R&D Center, Chung reaffirmed his commitment to the success of the group. Chung added that their products will not be complete without the trust of their customers.

Because of his vision and leadership and the success Hyundai Motor Group is experiencing under his watch, MotorTrend awarded Euisun Chung the recognition of being their person of the year for 2023.