Hyundai taps Lamborghini exec to lead Genesis brand
Mon, Dec 28 2015
Fitzgerald was formerly director of brand and design at Lamborghini, where he worked for 12 years before leaving to start his own consultancy. As the latest Senior Vice President at Hyundai, he'll be tasked with leading the "brand strategy, marketing, and other business operations" for the Genesis brand. That means working closely with Luc Donckerwolke, who – having penned for a number of Volkswagen divisions including Lamborghini as well – recently left his post as head of design at Bentley to run Hyundai's new Prestige Design Division (which will handle the styling for all future Genesis vehicles).
Donckerwolke works under Peter Schreyer, who – as chief design officer at Hyundai and one of three presidents of Kia – is the highest-ranked foreigner at the company. Schreyer is also a former VW Group man, having designed the original Audi TT and the Volkswagen New Beetle before leaving for South Korea. One year ago, Hyundai similarly tapped Albert Biermann – formerly head engineer at BMW M GmbH – to run its new performance division.
Hyundai Motor Announces Manfred Fitzgerald to lead the Genesis Brand
- Manfred Fitzgerald takes role of leading the Genesis brand
- Genesis brand targets the global luxury car market by appointing
a prominent figure that transformed Lamborghini into a luxury car brand
December 28, 2015 – Hyundai Motor announced Manfred Fitzgerald, former Director of Brand and Design at Lamborghini, to lead the Genesis brand from January, 2016.
Based in Hyundai Motor Headquarters Seoul, Mr. Fitzgerald will be in charge of establishing and executing strategies for the Genesis brand as the Senior Vice President. For the brand to set a strong foothold in the global luxury car market, he will take a core role in brand strategy, marketing and other business operations within the Genesis brand.
During his twelve year career at Lamborghini, Mr. Fitzgerald played a pivotal role in transforming Lamborghini from a prototype car company to a luxury car brand and increased its sales ten folds as the Director of Brand and Design.
Mr. Fitzgerald, 52 years old, brings about 20 years of expertise and experience in luxury car brand strategy and marketing. He will be working alongside Luc Donckerwolke, who will lead the Genesis brand's Prestige Design Division as Head of the Hyundai Motor Design Center.
- Manfred Fitzgerald takes role of leading the Genesis brand
- Genesis brand targets the global luxury car market by appointing
a prominent figure that transformed Lamborghini into a luxury car brand
December 28, 2015 – Hyundai Motor announced Manfred Fitzgerald, former Director of Brand and Design at Lamborghini, to lead the Genesis brand from January, 2016.
Based in Hyundai Motor Headquarters Seoul, Mr. Fitzgerald will be in charge of establishing and executing strategies for the Genesis brand as the Senior Vice President. For the brand to set a strong foothold in the global luxury car market, he will take a core role in brand strategy, marketing and other business operations within the Genesis brand.
During his twelve year career at Lamborghini, Mr. Fitzgerald played a pivotal role in transforming Lamborghini from a prototype car company to a luxury car brand and increased its sales ten folds as the Director of Brand and Design.
Mr. Fitzgerald, 52 years old, brings about 20 years of expertise and experience in luxury car brand strategy and marketing. He will be working alongside Luc Donckerwolke, who will lead the Genesis brand's Prestige Design Division as Head of the Hyundai Motor Design Center.
By Noah Joseph
See also: Hyundai and Kia settle lawsuit over hybrid technology, Meet Hyundai's new flagship, the Genesis G90, Meet Hyundai's new flagship, the Genesis G90.