Quality issues drive resignation of Hyundai R&D president
Tue, 12 Nov 2013
Hyundai released a statement Monday announcing that its research and development president, Kwon Moon-sik, and two other executives resigned from their positions, Reuters reports, to "take responsibility for a series of quality issues," according to the statement.
The resignations seem to be related to recent recalls around the globe. A few weeks back, Hyundai recalled 27,500 Genesis sedans from model years 2009 to 2012 in the US for brake fluid that doesn't prevent corrosion of the electronic hydraulic control unit. The recall recently was expanded to include 43,500 Genesis sedans in the US, but nearly 150,000 are reportedly affected including the South Korean market.
"The latest personnel change shows our firm commitment to quality management and reaffirms our will to continuously improve R&D competitiveness," says Hyundai.
Hyundai has not announced a replacement for Moon-sik, who was brought in to head the R&D department just over a year ago, before Hyundai and Kia admitted to overstating the fuel economy of over 1 million vehicles in North America. The two other executives who resigned were in charge of engineering and electronics technology and have been replaced, though the names of the replacements were not given.
By Damon Lowney
See also: Hyundai Genesis sedan recall swells to 43,500, Hyundai Veloster Turbos strut their SEMA stuff, Bisimoto Hyundai Genesis Coupe is a 1,000-horsepower tuner dream.