Hyundai Motor Group’s Design Visionaries Honored with Automotive News Centennial Awards for Transformational Impact on Global Automotive Design
At the prestigious Automotive News Europe Congress held on June 11–12, 2025, in Turin, Italy, Hyundai Motor Group’s design luminaries Luc Donckerwolke and Peter Schreyer were honored with the Automotive News Centennial Awards, a testament to their pioneering contributions to the global automotive design landscape. The awards recognize the trailblazing vision and creative leadership that have redefined Hyundai Motor Group’s place in the automotive world. Also celebrated at the event was legendary Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, whose early work with Hyundai laid the foundation for the brand’s design journey.
The Automotive News Centennial Awards commemorate the 100th anniversary of the influential publication and were established to recognize individuals who have significantly shaped the course of the automotive industry through their exceptional creativity, design influence, and leadership. The selection of Donckerwolke and Schreyer underscores Hyundai Motor Group’s extraordinary transformation from a rising automaker to a global design and innovation leader.
Luc Donckerwolke: Redefining the Design Language of Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis
Luc Donckerwolke, President, Chief Design Officer (CDO), and Chief Creative Officer (CCO) of Hyundai Motor Group, has played a pivotal role in guiding the aesthetic and conceptual direction of the Group’s three main automotive brands—Hyundai Motor, Kia, and Genesis. Donckerwolke has become synonymous with forward-thinking design and innovation that aligns with rapidly changing consumer expectations and global trends in sustainability and technology.
Since joining Hyundai Motor Group in 2016, Donckerwolke has been a driving force in elevating the Group’s design language to a globally recognized level. Prior to his current role, he accumulated a wealth of experience across the automotive sector, holding senior design positions at high-profile brands including Skoda, Audi, Lamborghini, SEAT, and Bentley. His versatile portfolio and international outlook have enabled him to implement a progressive design strategy that has helped distinguish Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis as brands known not only for performance and quality but also for bold visual identities.
In 2018, Donckerwolke was appointed Chief Design Officer and further expanded his influence in 2020 when he assumed the additional role of Chief Creative Officer. Under his leadership, Hyundai Motor Group has received numerous accolades for its designs, including international design awards and industry recognition for innovation and sustainability. Vehicles developed during his tenure have embodied a careful balance of cutting-edge technology, environmental responsibility, and artistic design sensibility—demonstrating his philosophy that great design should not only look good but also inspire emotion and purpose.
Donckerwolke’s work goes far beyond aesthetics. He has helped transform design into a strategic pillar at Hyundai Motor Group, integrating it deeply with the company’s long-term vision of smart mobility, zero emissions, and customer-centric experiences. His design philosophy embraces complexity, cultural diversity, and technological evolution, positioning Hyundai Motor Group at the forefront of the design-driven future of mobility.
Peter Schreyer: The Architect of Modern Korean Automotive Design Identity
Joining Hyundai Motor Group in 2006 as Kia’s Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer is widely credited with revolutionizing the image of Korean automotive brands on the global stage. Coming from an accomplished background that included influential roles at Audi and Volkswagen, Schreyer brought with him a European sensibility and a deep understanding of brand differentiation through design.
One of his most iconic contributions was the introduction of the “tiger nose” grille, which became a signature design element for Kia vehicles and helped define the brand’s bold new identity. This simple yet powerful visual cue marked a turning point for Kia, signaling its shift from a value-oriented automaker to a stylish, design-forward brand competing with the best in the world.
In 2013, Schreyer’s responsibilities expanded when he was appointed President and Chief Design Officer of Hyundai Motor Group, overseeing the design strategies for both Hyundai and Kia. He spearheaded a complete overhaul of Hyundai’s SUV lineup and played a significant role in developing the brand’s new identity—one that emphasized innovation, strength, and elegance. His influence extended to Genesis, the Group’s premium luxury brand, which has rapidly gained a reputation for avant-garde styling and sophistication under his watch.
Even after his official retirement at the end of 2023, Schreyer has remained deeply involved in nurturing the next generation of design talent. As an executive design advisor and brand ambassador, he continues to contribute to Hyundai Motor Group through mentorship and collaboration with academic institutions. Notably, he supports the Group’s ongoing partnership with the Royal College of Art in the UK. Programs such as the Hyundai-Kia Design and Innovation Project, the Intelligent Mobility MA Visiting Design Fellowship, and The Hyundai-Kia Student Awards reflect his commitment to cultivating design excellence in emerging talent.
Honoring a Legacy: Giorgetto Giugiaro’s Early Role in Hyundai’s Design Story
Another figure celebrated at the Centennial Awards was Giorgetto Giugiaro, whose legacy is intimately tied to the origins of Hyundai’s design journey. A globally revered designer known for shaping the aesthetics of several iconic vehicles across numerous brands, Giugiaro worked with Hyundai in the 1970s to develop the Hyundai Pony and the Pony Coupe Concept. These early designs marked a foundational moment in Hyundai’s history, as the Pony became South Korea’s first mass-produced car and a symbol of the country’s automotive ambitions.
Giugiaro’s influence has been acknowledged by both Donckerwolke and Schreyer as foundational and inspirational. His approach to simple, functional, and emotionally resonant design continues to influence the Group’s current design direction, demonstrating how vision from the past can guide the future of mobility.
Celebrating a Vision of the Future Rooted in Design
At the awards ceremony, KC Crain, President and CEO of Crain Communications—the parent company of Automotive News—praised both Donckerwolke and Schreyer for their transformative impact. “Peter Schreyer and Luc Donckerwolke have helped redefine what modern automotive design means—not just for Hyundai Motor Group, but for the entire industry,” said Crain. “Their bold creativity and leadership have elevated the role of design as a strategic force, and their legacy is reflected in vehicles recognized around the world for both their beauty and innovation. We are proud to honor them with Automotive News Centennial Awards for their extraordinary contributions.”
This global recognition affirms Hyundai Motor Group’s commitment to positioning design as a key differentiator in the increasingly competitive and rapidly evolving automotive sector. With a vision rooted in human-centric innovation, sustainability, and future mobility, the Group’s design philosophy continues to chart bold new directions.
Donckerwolke and Schreyer have not only influenced the physical forms of today’s most celebrated vehicles, but they have also shaped the creative culture within Hyundai Motor Group—fostering a spirit of experimentation, excellence, and global collaboration. Their recognition with the Automotive News Centennial Awards is more than a personal accolade; it’s a celebration of the transformative power of design to shape industries, influence cultures, and define eras.
As Hyundai Motor Group continues to push boundaries in electrification, smart mobility, and sustainable design, the foundations laid by these two visionary leaders ensure the Group remains at the forefront of automotive innovation for decades to come.
