MAM
Hyundai Motor Group announces key leadership appointments for 2024
Mumbai: Hyundai Motor Group has unveiled a series of key executive appointments for 2024, designed to drive sustainable growth, enhance global competitiveness, and accelerate its transformation into a future-focused mobility leader. The appointments highlight the Group’s commitment to fostering talent and recognising exceptional leadership to navigate global challenges and strengthen its organisational foundation.
Leadership advancements across the group
– Jaehoon Chang: Promoted to vice chair of Hyundai Motor Group – Automotive Division, effective 1 January 2025, Jaehoon will oversee the value chain, including product planning, supply chain management, manufacturing, and quality assessment. He aims to optimise business operations and maximise synergies across the Group while building systems for cost and quality innovation. His leadership as CEO since 2020 has delivered record-breaking performance, despite global challenges, and spearheaded initiatives like the hydrogen programme and the successful IPO of Hyundai Motor India Limited.
– José Muñoz: Appointed president and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, effective 1 January 2025. Muñoz, the first non-Korean CEO, brings a proven track record of enhancing dealer competitiveness and profitability, especially in North America. His focus will include solidifying Hyundai’s global operations framework and expanding its leadership in electric, hybrid, and hydrogen technologies.
– Sung Kim: Elevated to president of Hyundai Motor Company, effective 1 January 2025, Sung will manage global external affairs, strengthen strategic intelligence capabilities, and address geopolitical and economic challenges. With vast experience in international policy, Kim will lead communications and PR initiatives while advancing Hyundai’s global protocol capabilities.
– Jun Young Choi: Promoted to president of Kia Corporation, Jun will continue enhancing Kia’s manufacturing capabilities, focusing on EV production and labour management innovation. He recently led Kia to its highest-ever domestic production performance and the Kia Tigers to a championship victory in the 2024 KBO League.
– Kyoo Bok Lee: Appointed president of Hyundai Glovis, Kyoo has driven financial stability and market competitiveness. His efforts include the company’s first-ever Investor Day and expanded investments in integrated logistics capabilities.
New appointments across affiliates
– Cheol Seung Baek: Promoted to CEO of Hyundai Transys, Cheol will focus on powertrain, electrification, and seating innovations while addressing labour and management strategies.
– Joon Dong Oh: Elevated to CEO of Hyundai KEFICO, Joon will strengthen electrification capabilities and lead the transition from internal combustion engine parts to electrification-driven businesses.
– Hanwoo Lee: Appointed CEO of Hyundai E&C, Hanwoo will diversify the global portfolio in civil engineering and the energy sector while accelerating strategic investments.
– Woo Jeong Joo: Promoted to CEO of Hyundai Engineering, Woo will focus on enhancing financial performance and organisational competitiveness to position the company as an industry leader.
Hyundai’s latest appointments reflect its performance-driven approach to leadership renewal and organisational growth. The Group remains committed to proactive talent development and the promotion of exceptional leaders to ensure long-term competitiveness and global success.
MAM
BLR Airport Launches ‘Connections’ Service to Ease Transit Travel
New initiative targets smoother transfers as Bengaluru hub traffic rises 30 per cent.
MUMBAI: Missed connections may be a traveller’s nightmare but Bengaluru is trying to make them a thing of the past. Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has rolled out ‘Connections by BLR’, a new transfer programme designed to take the friction out of connecting journeys. Built around three pillars ease, efficiency and experience,the initiative aims to simplify what is often the most stressful leg of air travel.
The move comes as transfer traffic at BLR Airport climbs sharply, up more than 30 per cent year-on-year. Transfers currently account for around 15 per cent of total passenger traffic and are projected to touch 20 per cent by 2026, signalling a clear shift in how the airport is positioning itself within airline networks.
At its core, the programme focuses on making navigation intuitive and downtime more comfortable. Dedicated transfer desks have been set up across terminals, supported by colour-coded wayfinding blue and yellow signage designed for quick recognition. Inter-terminal movement is being streamlined through complimentary shuttle services with predictable wait times, while designated transfer zones aim to reduce passenger confusion.
Beyond logistics, the airport is leaning into experience. Travellers in transit now have access to a wider choice of lounges, curated retail and food and beverage options, as well as sleeping pods for short stays. For longer layovers, transit hotels in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 offer boutique in-terminal accommodation, an increasingly sought-after feature as global travel patterns evolve.
The timing is strategic. BLR Airport now connects to 114 passenger destinations 80 domestic and 34 international with key routes spanning Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune domestically, and Singapore, London Heathrow, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuala Lumpur internationally. Recent additions such as Hindon, Bidar and Silchar within India, alongside Dammam, Hanoi and Riyadh overseas, are further expanding its reach.
Infrastructure is also catching up with ambition. Developments including the West Cross Taxiway, Terminal 1 refurbishment and Terminal 2 expansion are laying the groundwork for higher capacity and smoother operations critical for any airport aiming to become a serious transfer hub.
Bangalore International Airport Limited chief operating officer Girish Nair framed the initiative as both a response to demand and a forward-looking play. He pointed to the growing depth of the airport’s network and the opportunity to build a more reliable transfer ecosystem that benefits both passengers and airline partners.
In an era where travel is as much about transitions as destinations, BLR Airport is betting that a seamless connection might just be the journey’s most important upgrade.
