Peter Butterfield, who’s lead the U.S. arm of Kia Motors Corp. since 2001, has left the South Korean automaker as it enters a new phase of expansion.
J.H. Lee, a Kia senior executive vice president, was named to replace Butterfield.
Kia also named Len Hunt, formerly executive vice president of Volkswagen AG’s U.S. arm, as executive vice president and chief operating officer. Hunt is set to oversee Kia’s U.S. operations reporting to Lee.
“Kia Motors is entering a new phase of aggressive growth in the U.S., and we have realigned our management structure to better support this effort,” Lee said in a statement.
The company didn’t say where Butterfield was going.
“On behalf of Kia Motors, we would like to thank Peter for his service to Kia Motors America over the past four years and for his contributions toward our growth in the U.S.,” Lee said. “We wish Peter continued success in all his future endeavors.”
Butterfield led Kia’s growth in recent years after the automaker struggled early on in the U.S.
In September, Kia sold 23,404 vehicles, up 2% from a year earlier. For the nine months through September, Kia sold 216,362 vehicles, up 6% from a year ago.
Kia’s rate of sales growth has slowed somewhat from the 5% to 10% monthly sales gains seen earlier this year.
The company, part of Seoul-based Hyundai Motor Co. along with Fountain Valley-based Hyundai Motor America Inc., is undergoing a big expansion.
Earlier this year, Kia announced plans to build a new headquarters and design center in Irvine. In August, Kia said it plans to build its first U.S. auto plant, likely in Mississippi or Kentucky.
