Hyundai Names New Chief for Australia

There’s a change of command at the top of Hyundai Australia.

CEO Edward Lee is departing for South Korea on Jan. 12, promoted to head of the international sales division.

He is being replaced in Australia by Chul-hwan (Charlie) Kim, until now head of the overseas marketing group. Kim, who takes over Jan. 14, previously worked for Hyundai in India and the U.S.

Lee joined Hyundai Australia in May 2009 and steered the company from eighth position in the Australian market to fourth. Sales grew from 45,409 units in 2008 to 91,536 last year.

Hyundai won 86 major Australian motoring awards during Lee’s tenure, including nine Australia’s Best Cars awards, three overall Car of the Year trophies and seven Canstar customer satisfaction awards. Lee received a government commendation from the South Korean president for his efforts to improve exports from South Korea to Australia.

“Working in Australia has been the most rewarding and enjoyable time of my professional career,” Lee says in a statement. “I’ve made some lifelong friends here and it is very sad to be leaving this great country.”