이 누리집은 대한민국 공식 전자정부 누리집입니다.

한상넷

비즈니스 정보

Biz News Korea(Eng)

Hyundai Motor hires former Volkswagen China designer Simon Loasby

Collected: 2017.06.07

Distributed: 2017.06.08

Source: Go Direct

South Korea’s largest automaker Hyundai Motor Co. has recruited Simon Loasby, head designer of Volkswagen China as design chief for its Chinese operation as part of efforts to regain its strength in China where its sales have plummeted due to anti-Korean sentiment over deployment of a U.S. missile shield.

Hyundai Motor said on Tuesday that it hired Loasby to lead its car design team in China. Loasby is one of the best car designers for the Chinese market with nearly 10 years of research experience on what Chinese consumers prefer in automobiles, said the company.

The Korean automaker has suffered from deteriorating sales in China due to the negative sentiment towards Korean brands over Korea’s deployment of U.S anti-missile system. Its sales in China plunged 65 percent on year to 35,100 units in May, extending losing streak for months.

Hyundai Motor hopes Loasby to help it regain the hearts of Chinese consumers with new car models tailored for the Chinese market. The 49-year old British designer had worked at German automaker Volkswagen’s design team for nearly 15 years and directed Volkswagen China’s design team since 2008. He designed cars made for China only, including the Santana, New Lavida and Passat, and had helped the German company securing its leadership in Chinese car market.

Graduating from Royal College of Art in London with a master`s degree in car design, Loasby also studied mechanical engineering at the University of London. He had participated in various car design projects at luxury car maker Rolls-Royce and Bentley prior to his post at Volkswagen.

Hyundai Motor has its design centers in the United States and Europe headed by former BMW designers Christopher Chapman and Thomas Bürkle, respectively.

By Woo Je-yoon

List

Previous: Korea’s SK Group goes to U.S. east and west in hunt for young talents

Next: The Real Urban Revolution: How We Live and How We Move