Hyundai Motor Group today announced the appointment of Luc Donckerwolke to a new company position — that of Chief Creative Officer (CCO). Donckerwolke resigned from his previous role as the Group’s Chief Design Officer – leaving Hyundai (and Genesis) Head of Design SangYup Lee and Kia Head of Design Karim Habib to lead the respective brands – earlier this year.
Donckerwolke’s new role will have him oversee design-related communications about topics such as the Genesis brand, dedicated BEV lineup brand IONIQ and fuel-cell vehicles. He also effectively resumes his career as Executive Vice President at the Hyundai Group. His office will be located at the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center rather than in Seoul, Korea, where he previously sat.
Having enjoyed a long and fruitful career within the VW Group, Donckerwolke joined the Hyundai Motor Group in 2016, gradually overseeing design for Hyundai, Kia and Genesis brands as the Chief Design Officer. He resigned in March to focus on his health. Donckerwolke is now returning to the Group following a temporary time away in which he took to take care of personal matters.
“It is with great honor and pride that I start this second chapter at Hyundai Motor Group to consolidate creativity. In collaboration with design teams, I will communicate diversity and richness of Group brands’ design, which is not only technologically dynamic but also customer-centric,” Donckerwolke said in a statement.
Donckerwolke has been deeply involved in establishing the current design direction and strategy for Hyundai, Kia and Genesis and is considered an ideal fit to propel the brand’s creative communications efforts moving forward.
As the Group’s representative, Donckerwolke will enhance brand positioning for Hyundai Motor Group, leveraging vast experience not only as a car designer but as a proven leader. He actively fosters design talents and has established a work environment that encourages proactive communication among peers.
He will also seek ways to collaborate with industry-leading designers as well as spearhead design studies for future mobility.
As CCO, Luc Donckerwolke will collaborate with design centers in their development and design communication for concept vehicles of Hyundai Motor Group’s various brands.
Hyundai, Kia and Genesis brands’ design work will continue to be overseen by existing management. SangYup Lee, Senior Vice President and Head of the Hyundai Design Center and Genesis Design, will continue to lead design worldwide for the Hyundai & the Genesis brands. Karim Habib, Senior Vice President and Head of Kia Design, will continue to lead design for the Kia brand globally.
Welcome back Luc!
