Len Hunt is Out As Kia Motors America President & CEO

The buzz at NADA parties in San Francisco on Saturday Feb. 9th was that Len Hunt was out at Kia Motors America (KMA) after just over two years as the highest ranking non-Korean executive at the automaker and just 3 months after being elevated to President and CEO of KMA. Not a huge surprise because the Korean car companies have been a revolving door for U.S. executives over the past few years...

It was somewhat of a shock because Len was considered to be a "great guy" and really liked by the dealers. Many thought he had mastered the relationship game with his Korean bosses and even might be considered to run the larger Hyundai U.S. operation - obviously not. 2007 also marked the 14th consecutive year of record U.S. sales.

The news became official in a Kia news release on Monday Feb. 11: "Len Hunt has left the company. Byung Mo Ahn, president of Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) has been appointed group president and CEO and will oversee all aspects and daily operations of both KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG)."



"In addition, Ian Beavis, vice president marketing, has also left the company."

The only explanation in the release: "These changes are being made in an effort to respond to rapidly changing market conditions in the United States."

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• Posted by: Richard Saxton February 12, 2008, 9:48 AM
• Categories: Auto Executives