Hyundai India to get new head

H S Lheem, managing director & CEO of Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL), will shortly be transferred to the parent company’s headquarters in Seoul, South Korea. Lheem, who spent four years steering HMIL, will be replaced by company’s current CFO, HW Park, who becomes its MD from November 5.

During his stint here, Lheem oversaw the launch of Hyundai’s bestselling compact cars like the i10 and i20. The Hyundai veteran, who joined the Indian operations in 2005, was also instrumental in setting up the company’s second manufacturing unit outside Chennai in 2008 and in establishing HMIL’s R&D facility in Hyderabad.

A company spokesperson said Lheem played a crucial role in preparing the infrastructure to turn India into a hub for development and manufacture of small cars for Hyundai’s global operations.

However, recurrent labour unrest at HMIL’s Chennai manufacturing facilities this year prompted the company to consider shifting the manufacture of a portion of the i20 model to a European production facility. Lheem is also the current treasurer of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.