Hyundai Motor America Names a New Leader

D. O. Chung has been named president and chief executive of Hyundai Motor America, the U.S. sales arm of Hyundai Motor Co., one of South Korea’s largest automobile manufacturers.

The 51-year-old mechanical engineer, who most recently was vice president of quality control at Hyundai Motor Co. in Seoul, replaces H. W. Baik, Hyundai Motor America’s president and chief executive since 1987. Chung is a 23-year Hyundai Motor veteran with experience in sales, distribution, parts, service and administration.

Baik will return to South Korea as vice president of export operations for Hyundai Motor. The automobile company is part of the giant Hyundai Group conglomerate of industrial, consumer product and financial companies.

Chung joins Hyundai Motor America at a time when the Fountain Valley-based importer is launching a campaign to improve its quality image with consumers.