Hyundai's José Muñoz Awarded 2025 MotorTrend Person of the Year for Industry Excellence

José Muñoz Honored as 2025 MotorTrend Person of the Year

In an impressive recognition of his leadership, José Muñoz, the President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, has been named the 2025 MotorTrend Person of the Year. This accolade acknowledges Muñoz's pivotal role in steering Hyundai to remarkable heights in the competitive automotive sector, particularly in North America.

MotorTrend's announcement highlighted Muñoz's groundbreaking achievement as the first non-Korean to lead the globally recognized automotive conglomerate that encompasses both Hyundai and Genesis brands. Under his leadership, Hyundai has witnessed unprecedented growth, achieving record sales and profitability, while also expanding its market share.

During an interview following the announcement, Muñoz expressed his gratitude, stating, "I am extremely honored to be recognized among such a talented group of industry leaders. This recognition is due to the vision and support of our Executive Chair, the hard-working women and men of Hyundai, our outstanding dealer partners, our customers, and many others who are tirelessly loyal to Hyundai and Genesis in this competitive and dynamic industry. It's a great time to be with Hyundai!"

The illustrious 2025 MotorTrend Power List also included influential figures such as Euisun Chung, Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Group; SangYup Lee, the Executive Vice President overseeing design for both Hyundai and Genesis; and other key leaders who have contributed significantly to the company’s success.

MotorTrend praised Hyundai’s evolution over the years, noting its transformation from a brand primarily associated with affordability to one recognized for quality and sophistication. This shift is highlighted by accolades such as the Genesis GV70, selected as the 2022 MotorTrend SUV of the Year, and the Hyundai IONIQ 5, which received the same honor in 2023.

Under Muñoz’s leadership, Hyundai has experienced a renaissance in product offerings, significantly boosting sales and dealer profitability while garnering industry accolades. His commitment to innovation is reflected in Hyundai's ambitious investments in new technologies and sustainable practices, ensuring a safer and more eco-friendly future for automotive transportation.

Muñoz credits the company’s achievements to the visionary leadership of Executive Chair Euisun Chung, whose initiative, dubbed “Progress for Humanity”, seeks to embrace smart city concepts, electrification, advanced air mobility, autonomous driving, and more, thereby transforming how transportation operates globally.

Furthermore, Hyundai has expanded its production capabilities, with Muñoz overseeing a monumental $12.6 billion investment in a new assembly plant along with two battery joint ventures in Georgia. This substantial investment is part of a broader strategy that has resulted in more than 570,000 jobs created across the U.S. since Hyundai's market entrance.

Before his current role, Muñoz joined Hyundai in 2019, tasked with leading North American operations and ultimately rising to the global stage with a comprehensive understanding of the company's international strategy. His background encompasses a wealth of experience from various prestigious automotive manufacturers such as Daewoo, Toyota, and Nissan, where he garnered a wealth of insight into the industry.

A native of Spain, Muñoz has an impressive academic background with a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, complemented by an MBA from Instituto de Empresa. His multilingual fluency in English, Spanish, and French enhances his global outreach within the automotive industry.

In addition to his corporate successes, Muñoz is recognized for his commitment to corporate social responsibility, ensuring Hyundai’s offerings are not only innovative but also beneficent to communities.

As Hyundai continues to innovate in electrified vehicles, Muñoz’s leadership is positioned to keep the brand at the forefront of the industry, promoting quality, sustainability, and enhanced consumer experiences in the years to come.