Kia's Schreyer to take charge of Hyundai group car design

[Rex Raider]

http://ca.reuters.com/article/busine...90C03N20130113

By Sung-won Shim

SEOUL (Reuters) - German designer Peter Schreyer, known as the creative brain behind the Audi TT, will oversee both Kia (000270.KS: Quote) and Hyundai's (005380.KS: Quote) designs, the Hyundai automotive group said on Sunday, as the carmaker seeks to outdo German rivals Volkswagen and BMW.

Schreyer's star is rising fast at the South Korean company, where only three weeks ago he was named a president at Kia, the first foreigner to hold the post. He was promoted from chief design officer and executive vice president at Kia.

He will assume the newly created role to oversee the design of both Hyundai and Kia, which together make up the world's fifth biggest automaker. The design operations of the two carmakers had been run by separate design chiefs.

Kia, acquired by Hyundai Motor in 1998 during the Asian financial crisis, has been expanding sales at a faster pace than Hyundai Motor in markets such as the United States and Europe.

Schreyer's new appointments coincide with Hyundai Motor's efforts to move up market and boost margins.

A Hyundai spokesman on Sunday cited the group's need "to more clearly set up each automaker's own, unique brand color".

Full article at Link

[BlackGTP]

I do like Kia's styling better than Hyundai's. I've gotten tired of Hyundai's overexaggerated flowing design, while I continue to like Kia. This is a big win for Hyundai/Kia.

Hyundai/Kia can lie about their fuel milage and etc, but you can't lie about style!

[osbornk]

I think this is a very good move. I think he will have each company go in a different direction with their designs.

[johnstarnes]

I REALLY the design themes of both companies, and hope that he maintains their distinct identities.

[hunchman]

They should make Schreyer the queen of south Korea.

[big swede]

I do like Kia's styling better than Hyundai's. I've gotten tired of Hyundai's overexaggerated flowing design, while I continue to like Kia. This is a big win for Hyundai/Kia.

Hyundai/Kia can lie about their fuel milage and etc, but you can't lie about style!

I think most people do like the look of Kia's better. It goes to show you how important good advertising is because Hyundai makes Kia look like a niche brand as far as sales go.

[Neanderthal]

Hyundai 700,000 CY 2012 vs. KIA 550,000.

http://online.wsj.com/mdc/public/pag...tml#autosalesE

GM 2.6 mil; FoMo 2.2; Chriat 1.6; Toyota 2.1; Honda 1.4; Nissan 1.1 million.

[steve333]

I wish GM had nabbed this guy. Better than what we have for sure

[big swede]

Hyundai 700,000 CY 2012 vs. KIA 550,000.

http://online.wsj.com/mdc/public/pag...tml#autosalesE

GM 2.6 mil; FoMo 2.2; Chriat 1.6; Toyota 2.1; Honda 1.4; Nissan 1.1 million.

Wow that's very impressive for Kia. I didn't realize they have become that big.

[Neanderthal]

Wow that's very impressive for Kia. I didn't realize they have become that big.

VWoA @ 440,000? How can that be? I thought they were taking over the verlld. Maybe next year.

This is quite the table being set for Schreyer. Clearly someone has mucho confidence in his abilities, far beyond the design studio.

[YEH]

I do like Kia's styling better than Hyundai's. I've gotten tired of Hyundai's overexaggerated flowing design, while I continue to like Kia. This is a big win for Hyundai/Kia.

Hyundai has already toned down its design language w/ the Azera and Santa Fe Sport/SF - so Schreyer will just continue that path while keeping the design language of the 2 brands distinct.

It's been quite the couple of weeks for Herr Schreyer.

[calgaryhhr]

VWoA @ 440,000? How can that be? I thought they were taking over the verlld. Maybe next year.

Well the verlld does extend beyond the good ole' USofA.