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John Krafcik stepping down as Hyundai CEO, replaced by VP of sales

Hyundai Motor America has announced that its affable president and CEO, John Krafcik, will be stepping down from his post on January 1, at the completion of his contract. He'll be replaced by the current executive vice president of sales, David Zuchowski.
Krafcik has helmed Hyundai through a product renaissance that's seen the Korean automaker go from budget afterthought to household name in less than a decade, launching stylish new models and expanding into new markets. "On behalf of Hyundai Motor Company, we sincerely thank John for his visionary leadership and relentless pursuit of customer satisfaction, which has driven Hyundai's record growth over the past five years," said Im Tak Uk, the COO and executive vice president of HMA's parent company, Hyundai Motor Company.
"It's been a sincere privilege and honor to lead Hyundai Motor America over the past five years, and I am confident that with Dave's succession, our brand will continue to expand and thrive for years to come," said Krafcik in a Hyundai press release, available below. "We have many of the best and brightest employees in the business coupled with a committed and talented dealer network that will continue to pay dividends."

Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell sales not hitting target [UPDATE]

UPDATE: Hyundai spokesperson Derek Joyce contacted Autoblog to clarify that 1,000 units is a global production goal, not a sales goal. Hyundai's aim to get 1,000 examples of the Tucson Fuel Cell out to the public worldwide is falling well behind the company's original hopes. As of the most recent accounting through May 2015, the Korean automaker has managed to move just 273 of them globally since the FCVs first went on sale in Korea in 2013. Hyundai reportedly sold 76 Tucson FCVs in 2013, 128 in 2014, and 69 so far this year, according to Korea's Yonhap News Agency. Of those, the vast majority were shipped to the US and Europe with 116 and 117, respectively. Another 29 remained in South Korea. However, the automaker's vice president of corporate and product planning in the US said in May that it had actually only leased about 70 of the vehicles here. The 1,000-unit global goal by the end of 2015 is almost certain not to be met. The Yonhap News Agency points to a lack of refueling infrastructure as a major problem in marketing the Tucson Fuel Cell. There are 11 hydrogen stations in all of South Korea, and just of them are in Seoul. The situation isn't much better in the US with around 10 of them open to the public, mostly in California. In Korea, cost is also an issue because even the recently reduced price of 85 million won (76,170) is high and comes without government subsidies.

2013 Hyundai ix35 is a freshened-up Euro-Tucson

In places that aren't the United States, Hyundai calls its Tucson compact crossover the ix35. And as part of its Geneva Motor Show presence, the Korean automaker has debuted this freshened version of the C-segment CUV, showing some minor tweaks to an otherwise attractive package.
The most noticeable changes are found up front, where a revised grille slots in between newly designed headlamps that now feature LED running lights. Around back, the taillamps have also been given the nip/tuck treatment, and it appears some redesigned wheels have been included in this update, as well.
Hyundai has fitted its ix35 with a new, direct-injected version of its 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine (with undisclosed power figures, natch). And when it comes time to put that power to the road, driver's will be able to use a new selectable electric power steering system similar to what's on the Elantra GT and Santa Fe Sport, with normal, comfort and sport modes.