- Background: Jose Muñoz holds a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering and an executive MBA.
- Nissan Tenure: He spent 15 years at Nissan, nearly becoming CEO amid corporate shifts.
- Hyundai Leadership: Muñoz joined Hyundai in 2019 as COO and expanded his role to oversee global operations. He assumed the position of president and CEO in January 2025, succeeding Jaehoon Chang.
- Early History: Hyundai entered the U.S. market in 1986 with the Excel.
- Brand Transformation: Hyundai evolved from a budget brand to one associated with quality and innovation.
- Recent Achievements: The Genesis GV70 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 earned accolades as MotorTrend SUVs of the Year in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
- Sales Growth: North American sales reached 836,802 units in 2024, while global sales totaled 7.23 million.
- New Initiatives:
- New Models: The Ioniq 9 EV leads the upcoming releases.
- U.S. Expansion: A $12.6 billion investment in Georgia includes state-of-the-art assembly and battery plants.
- EV Leadership: Hyundai ranked second in U.S. EV sales in 2024, despite lacking tax credits.
- Electric Vision: The goal is to introduce 21 EV models by 2030, aiming for 2 million annual sales.
- Hybrid Expansion: Plans to double the hybrid lineup to 14 models, with a significant increase in global and North American hybrid sales anticipated by 2028.
- Innovative Projects: These include ventures like flying taxis and varied propulsion systems.
- Mobility Integration: Overseeing Hyundai’s diverse transportation modes.
- Continued Growth: A focus on strengthening brand presence globally.
- Innovative Sales Approaches: Exploring new avenues like selling cars on Amazon.
Jose Muñoz has steered Hyundai towards impressive growth and innovation, reinforcing its status as a global leader in the automotive industry. With his strategic vision, Hyundai is set to expand its electric and hybrid lineup, while also pioneering new transportation technologies.
