Mumbai: Kia India on Friday announced that its executive director and chief sales and business strategy officer Tae-Jin Park will assume the role of Kia India managing director and chief executive officer, with effect from 4 October. Park will succeed Kookhyun Shim who played a crucial role in introducing the Kia brand in India, it said.

In his new role, Park will be responsible for the company’s growth and market expansion in the country. He will lead the India operations and directly oversee the entire manufacturing, product strategy and development, business planning, and sales. He has been associated with Kia India since January 2020. “It is my honour and absolute privilege to lead India operations and take the Kia story in the country forward, building upon the strong foundation laid by Shim," Park said.

In his illustrious career spanning over three decades, Park has gained immense knowledge of global business environment and his expertise lies in penetrating new markets. He said India is a strategic market for Kia and has the potential to foster growth for the brand globally. "In our short journey in India so far, we have achieved many milestones and these achievements are a testament to our commitment to bringing a revolution in the auto industry by making a difference across the entire auto ecosystem," he added.

Prior to his association with Kia India, he served at the headquarters of Kia Corp as head of operations for the Middle East, Africa, and Asia based in Seoul, South Korea. He has also served at Kia Mexico as chief sales officer. He has been associated with Kia Corp since 1987.

"Our ambitious targets will not only challenge us but will also help us establish India as an important sales, production, and research & development hub for Kia," Park said.