Hyundai CEO José Muñoz Hosts Town Hall at Namyang R&D, Emphasizes Quality & Service
Hyundai Motor Company President and CEO José Muñoz recently held a town hall meeting with employees at the company’s Namyang R&D Center, marking his first such engagement since assuming the role of Hyundai Motor CEO. This milestone event underscored Muñoz’s dedication to fostering direct communication with employees and emphasizing the importance of data and statistics in engineering excellence. His visit to the Namyang facility was particularly significant, given its pivotal role in Hyundai’s global research and development efforts.
As the town hall commenced, President Muñoz addressed the audience with a forward-looking perspective, outlining Hyundai Motor’s business plans while reinforcing the company’s unwavering commitment to its customer-centric philosophy. He stressed the importance of achieving the highest quality standards to ensure Hyundai’s sustainable success in an increasingly dynamic and competitive automotive industry.
“As an engineer myself, I have been looking forward to spending time with the outstanding team here at Namyang. I tend to challenge engineers because I have high expectations for people I care about, just like my family,” Muñoz remarked. His personal connection to engineering and his passion for technological advancement were evident throughout his address.
Reflecting on his first two months as CEO, Muñoz provided insights into Hyundai Motor’s management strategy, future vision, and approach to overcoming critical industry challenges. With a specific focus on electric vehicles (EVs) and autonomous driving technology, he highlighted the company’s commitment to innovation and strategic partnerships as key drivers for future success.
“We will succeed by continuing to deliver beautifully designed, high-quality vehicles equipped with technology that customers desire. We must treat our customers as honored guests and provide exceptional service,” he stated. This vision aligns with Hyundai’s broader strategy of enhancing its global reputation by prioritizing quality, safety, and customer satisfaction.
During the session, Muñoz shared his leadership philosophy, drawing from his extensive experience in the global automotive and mobility industry. Since joining Hyundai Motor Company in 2019, he has played a crucial role in driving significant growth and profitability, reinforcing Hyundai’s leadership in the industry. His leadership has been instrumental in expanding Hyundai’s market presence and fortifying its position as a top three global mobility brand.
Addressing the audience at the town hall, Muñoz expressed his enthusiasm for his new role and appreciation for the collective efforts of Hyundai’s employees, dealers, suppliers, and other stakeholders. “It’s an honor to serve our customers, employees, dealers, suppliers, and other stakeholders in this new capacity. I’m excited and motivated by the tremendous opportunities for Hyundai around the world,” he said.
The event was attended by over 800 employees, including President and Head of the Research and Development Division, Heui Won Yang, and Executive Vice President and Hyundai Motor Company Chief HR Officer, Hae In Kim. Their presence highlighted the importance of the Namyang R&D Center in shaping Hyundai’s future innovations. The town hall served as a reaffirmation of Namyang’s central role in Hyundai Motor’s product development and market-specific strategies.
Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Namyang R&D Center spans 3.47 million square meters and serves as Hyundai’s comprehensive research and development hub. The facility boasts world-class capabilities in software development, design and engineering, as well as vehicle testing and evaluation. Over the years, it has played a crucial role in delivering industry-leading advancements in vehicle safety, technology, and quality.
Speaking about Namyang’s legacy, Muñoz stated, “Namyang, our global center for R&D, has a phenomenal track record of delivering beautifully designed, high-quality, safety-focused vehicles with technology and features that our customers value.”
He further highlighted Hyundai’s increasing sales, market share, profitability, and industry accolades as a testament to the excellence of the Namyang team. “I don’t think any brand has won more World Car of the Year Awards than Hyundai in the last few years, and we can trace this back to all the excellent work happening here in Namyang. This is where the magic happens!” he added.
To ensure a broader reach, the town hall was also livestreamed to Hyundai Motor employees worldwide, including those at headquarters in Seoul and teams in China, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, India, and the Asia-Pacific regional offices in Indonesia and Australia. This digital engagement underscored the company’s commitment to fostering a unified corporate culture, bridging the gap between global teams, and reinforcing a shared vision for the future.
An open Q&A session followed Muñoz’s remarks, allowing employees to engage in direct dialogue with leadership. One key topic raised was the challenge of global EV adoption, to which Muñoz provided a strategic response: “We continue to lead the transition to electrification. We understand that this business is based on consumer demand, which is why we continue to invest in hybrid electric vehicles, extended range electric vehicles (EREV), hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and vehicles powered by internal combustion. More powertrain choices across our lineup reflect our flexible approach.”
Muñoz also addressed questions about Hyundai Motor’s autonomous driving technology, emphasizing its transformative potential. “Autonomous driving has incredible potential to make driving safer by drastically reducing accidents, as well as being more convenient and efficient. We are making long-term investments in this space. Our Advanced Vehicle Platform division is doing a great job leading this internally here in Namyang.”
As the event concluded, Muñoz left employees with an inspiring message, urging them to remain committed to excellence: “Stay humble, stay hungry, work hard, and always have a customer service mindset. I am here to serve you so we can serve our customers together.”
The town hall at Namyang R&D Center marked a significant moment in Hyundai Motor Company’s journey under Muñoz’s leadership. His visit reinforced the importance of direct communication, technological innovation, and customer-centric strategies in Hyundai’s ongoing success. As Hyundai continues to evolve in the face of industry disruptions and emerging mobility trends, the commitment of its leadership and employees to quality and service will remain a driving force behind the company’s global achievements.
