Jose Munoz, the first foreign chief executive officer (CEO) of Hyundai Motor, was named '2025 Person of the Year' by MotorTrend.
Founded in 1949 in the United States, MotorTrend is a leading automotive media outlet, boasting a monthly circulation of over 1 million copies while also offering an online edition.
MotorTrend publishes an influential power list of 50 individuals in the global automotive industry each year and names the most influential person as 'Person of the Year.' The MotorTrend power list is compiled through a rigorous evaluation and secret ballot conducted by MotorTrend editors and advisors.
Jose Munoz has served as CEO of Hyundai Motor since Jan. 1, 2025. Appointed as the first foreign CEO during the executive reshuffle of Hyundai Motor Group announced in November of last year, Munoz became the global chief operating officer (GCOO) and head of North America in 2019, consistently breaking record performance in the North American region. He was recognized for these achievements and, in 2022, his role expanded as he was appointed as the chief operating officer (COO) overseeing global business in overseas regions, including the Americas, Europe, India, and the Middle East, as well as becoming an inside director of Hyundai Motor.
When the personnel changes were made at the end of 2024, Hyundai Motor Group noted that Munoz's appointment as CEO was to "continue enhancing the global management system and secure customer-centered mobility leadership." He was evaluated as a person who has solidified his position as a verified manager in the global automotive industry, contributing to Hyundai Motor's record-high performances.
The personnel changes at Hyundai Motor contributed to the selection of Munoz as 'Person of the Year' by influential North American automotive media.
MotorTrend described Munoz, as 'a person who led record growth in North American sales, market share, revenue, and profitability for several years.'
Of course, Munoz was named 'Person of the Year' not only because he became CEO of Hyundai Motor. Munoz was already ranked 15th on the MotorTrend 'Power List' in 2024.
MotorTrend introduced Munoz as a Spanish-born American citizen with a doctoral degree in nuclear engineering and a master's degree in business administration. He worked for Nissan for 15 years and has a history of taking up the CEO position after the previous CEO, Carlos Ghosn, was arrested and ousted.
Jose Munoz is the third individual from Hyundai Motor Group to be named 'Person of the Year.'
In 2020, Peter Schreyer, who was then the head of design management at Hyundai Motor Group, was the first recipient, and in 2023, Euisun Chung, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, was named 'Person of the Year.'
In the 'Power List' announced by MotorTrend, in addition to CEO Munoz, there are also five other individuals from Hyundai Motor Group.
Euisun Chung, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, ranked 12th (5th in 2024), Sang Yup Lee, vice president of Hyundai Genesis Global Design, ranked 18th (26th in 2024), Claudia Marquez, COO of Hyundai Motor North America, ranked 20th (no ranking in 2024), Luke Donckerwolke, CCO of Hyundai Motor Group, ranked 29th (19th in 2024), and Karim Habib, vice president of Kia Global Design, ranked 35th (27th in 2024).
On Feb. 20, Jose Munoz stated during a town hall meeting at Hyundai Motor, "Our top priority is to showcase vehicles equipped with technologies and features desired by customers through the highest quality and excellent design."
[OSEN]