José Muñoz
Chief Executive, Chief Operating
Officer, President
Hyundai Motor Co., Hyundai North America, Hyundai Motor America
Fountain Valley
Born in Spain
Age: 53
Moving to Orange County
WHY: Former Nissan executive recently tapped to oversee Hyundai’s Americas operations, as well as global chief operating officer.
HOW: Native of Spain. Joined Nissan Europe in 2004 as general manager moving up the ranks to become chairman of North American operations in 2014. Credited with capturing 10% of U.S. light vehicle market as part of former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn’s 2011 midterm plan. Named chief performance officer for Nissan Motor Corp. and chairman of Nissan China last year. Widely seen as potential successor to Ghosn but abruptly departed in January before appointment at Hyundai last month.
RECENT: Developed industry-first technology allowing drivers to customize seven major vehicle functions through a smartphone such as acceleration and deceleration abilities and regenerative braking capacity. Introduced all new, smaller SUV model Venue, as well as its redesigned 2020 Hyundai Sonata.
FAST FACT: Nearly half of Hyundai’s vehicles are produced in the U.S.
QUOTABLE: Told Automotive News “we want to elevate the [Hyundai] brand to where it belongs, which is at a much higher level than it is today.”
PERSONAL: Fluent in Spanish, English and French, Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from Polytechnic University of Madrid; MBA from Instituto de Empresa (IE) Business School in Madrid; executive management programs from Cranfield School of Management in the U.K. and INSEAD business school in France.
