Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Mong-koo emphasized that the company’s future hinges on the success of Genesis, its luxury sedan model sold by the name of G80 and G90 in the U.S. market, and green vehhicle business, at a meeting with heads of overseas operations at its headquarters in Yangjae-dong on Monday.

The meeting, held twice every year in July and December, was attended by more than 60 people including heads of global offices of Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. and key members of the management including Chung Eui-sun, Hyundai Motor Group’s vice chairman. The meeting came after Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors recorded lackluster performance in the first half of this year, posting a 2.4 percent drop in sales compared to the same period last year and a 4.2 percent drop in overseas sales. The two automakers sold 3.85 million units in total during the January to June period this year.

Chung reportedly praised the hard work of the executives amid global economic slowdown and waning demand in the emerging markets and urged them to keep up their good work.

Chung said that as the external environment would continue to be unfavorable, making relentless efforts to keep up innovative spirit is the key to survival, according to a source from the company. He also urged the chiefs to lead the market by keeping up agility to read and respond to consumer needs and demands. The company should stay ahead by expanding after-sales service in the global market, conducting unconventional marketing and operating successfully its new production plants in Mexico and China.

He also pointed out the importance of maintaining high quality products and implementing customer-centered service. The production and sales system should be optimized to offer products that meet the demand of customers, he said.

The company source said that Chung put a special stress on successful marketing of its G80 and G90 in the U.S. market, and eco-friendly car business. He said that the company should focus its capability on adding more to its green car lineups and strengthening the business in order to achieve a qualitative growth as he mentioned in a speech early this year.

By Noh Won-myung

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