Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) Executive Chair Euisun Chung, Founding Chairman Ju-yung Chung, and Honorary Chairman Mong-Koo Chung have been recognized with the Automotive News Centennial Award for their outstanding contribution to the global automotive industry.
Automotive News named the leaders as key figures in driving the advancement of mobility, with the Group’s automotive brands Hyundai Motor, Kia and Genesis having achieved significant success most recently under Executive Chair Chung’s leadership.
Chung has elevated the Group to a global top three automaker since his inauguration as Executive Chair in October 2020, building on the legacy of his father, Honorary Chairman Mong-Koo Chung, and his grandfather, Founding Chairman Ju-yung Chung. His bold vision, customer-centric focus, and transformative contributions have propelled Hyundai Motor Group to become one of the most ambitious and forward-looking companies in global mobility.
“I am honored to receive this Automotive News Centennial Award and the recognition from such a respected voice in our industry,” said Executive Chair Chung. “I have always believed that innovation must serve humanity, and that progress is only meaningful when it improves people’s lives. This recognition reflects the input and trust from our employees, partners, and customers who inspire us to think boldly and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We remain committed to creating innovative, customer-focused, and more sustainable solutions that enrich lives and drive progress for people and the planet.”
Building on decades of engineering excellence, Executive Chair Chung has reinforced the Group’s customer-centric approach to innovation, placing quality, safety, technology, design, and social responsibility at the heart of the organization’s strategy.
Recognition for Visionary Leadership
Chung’s tenure has seen Hyundai Motor Group accelerate investment in electrification, hydrogen fuel cell technology, software-defined vehicles, robotics, autonomous driving, and advanced air mobility, reshaping the global mobility landscape and creating an environment for a more sustainable and connected future.
Under his leadership, Hyundai Motor and Kia have won a total of 12 World Car Awards, including four consecutive World Car of the Year titles since 2022 with the Hyundai IONIQ 5, Hyundai IONIQ 6, Kia EV9 and, most recently in 2025, the Kia EV3.
Chung has led the evolution of Hyundai Motor, Kia and the Genesis luxury brand into a new era, overseeing the development next-generation platforms and software, future design directions, and customer-focused services that will define the vehicles of tomorrow.
Commenting on Chung’s Centennial Award, President and CEO of Crain Communications and Publisher of Automotive News KC Crain said: “For three generations, the Chung family has shaped the global automotive industry through vision, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Under Executive Chair Euisun Chung’s leadership, Hyundai Motor Group has honored that legacy while transforming into a global powerhouse – leading in sales, technology, quality, and style, and earning deep customer loyalty along the way. Guided by his purpose of ‘Progress for Humanity,’ Executive Chair Chung is driving innovation that improves lives and ensures Hyundai’s lasting impact on the global mobility industry.”
Chung has also emphasized cultural transformation as a key element of this journey, driving a collaborative and open environment that empowers talent across the Group’s global network.
Alongside the Automotive News Centennial Award, his leadership in these areas have seen him named “Person of the Year” by MotorTrend in 2023 and “Visionary of the Year” by Newsweek in 2022, highlighting his achievements as one of the most influential industry leaders.
A Legacy of Driving Future Mobility
Automotive News recognized the Chung family’s legacy, including Founding Chairman Ju-yung Chung and Honorary Chairman Mong-Koo Chung’s impact and influence since Hyundai was founded.
Their vision and leadership transformed Korea into an automotive powerhouse, serving as an engine for the nation’s economic development and laying the foundations for the Group’s continued growth as it advances on its journey as a world leader in smart mobility solutions under Executive Chair Chung.
Founding Chairman Ju-yung Chung, a pioneering entrepreneur whose belief that “nothing is impossible”, set the stage for Korea’s industrial rise and the global success of Hyundai. His son, Mong-Koo Chung, served as Honorary Chairman and was instrumental in the Group’s global expansion and brand evolution. Under his guidance, Hyundai and Kia became household names around the world, known for quality, reliability, and value.
“My grandfather always used to say, ‘Follow the flow of the times,’ and focused on people. That really stuck with me. He believed — and I still do — that our customers are the ones shaping the future, and it’s our job to really listen to them and respond,” said Executive Chair Chung. “It’s where our customer-first approach really took root for me. It taught me that we should never be afraid to face new challenges and act in ways that earn credibility and trust with our customers.”
“My father also had a huge influence on me. He continuously looked for global opportunities, whether in advanced or emerging markets, and achieved so much for Hyundai with this approach,” added Executive Chair Chung. “He was a super manager and deeply committed to the fundamentals, especially quality and safety. His drive to improve our R&D capabilities and get things right really shaped the Group’s management philosophy today.”
Today, Executive Chair Euisun Chung carries forward these values with a renewed focus on driving innovation, advancing technology and delivering progress for humanity, ensuring Hyundai Motor Group not only continues to adapt to change, but shapes it.
What are the Automotive News Centennial Awards?
The honor is part of Automotive News’ 100th anniversary celebrations and will be presented during the Automotive News Congress in Detroit on September 11 2025.
The Centennial Award celebrates extraordinary individuals and families whose vision, innovation and leadership have left a lasting impact on the automotive industry, redefining the global mobility landscape through long-term strategic thinking, technological innovation, and meaningful industry leadership.
In addition to receiving the award, Executive Chair Chung will participate in a keynote discussion with KC Crain.
Earlier this year, Hyundai Motor Group President, Chief Creative Officer, and Chief Design Officer Luc Donckerwolke was honored with an Automotive News Centennial Award for his outstanding contribution to global automotive design.
Dockerwolke oversees design strategy for Hyundai Motor, Kia, and Genesis, and was praised for pushing creative boundaries and championing innovative and engaging design philosophies to differentiate the Hyundai Motor, Kia and Genesis brands. Under his direction, Hyundai Motor Group’s automotive brands have earned global recognition for vehicles that blend technology, sustainability, and design excellence.
Former Hyundai Motor Group President and Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer, and legendary automotive designer Giorgetto Giugiaro – responsible for Hyundai Motor’s original Pony and the Pony Coupe concept – were also honored at the Automotive News Europe Congress in Turin, Italy.
Executive Chair Euisun Chung Profile
Current Position
2020 Executive Chair, Hyundai Motor Group
Career Profile
2018 Executive Vice Chairman, Hyundai Motor Group
2009 Vice Chairman, Hyundai Motor Company
2005 President, Kia Motors Corporation
2003 Head of Business Strategy Planning, Kia Motors Corporation
Executive Vice President, Business Planning Division, Hyundai Motor Company
2002 Senior Vice President, Domestic Sales Division, Hyundai Motor Company
1999 Director, Procurement / Sales Support Division, Hyundai Motor Company
Awards and Achievements
2025 Automotive News Centennial Award
2023 ‘Industry Leader of the Year’ – Automotive News All-Stars Awards
2023 Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE)
2023 ‘Person of the Year’ – MotorTrend Awards
2022 ‘Visionary of the Year’ – Newsweek World’s Greatest Auto Disruptors Awards
2021 Issigonis Trophy – Autocar Awards
2019 – 2020 Co-chair, Hydrogen Council
2006 World Economic Forum Top 200 next generation leaders
