Hyundai Motor's top designer named as this year's World Car Person

Lee Sang-yup, head of Hyundai and Genesis Global Design Center / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor

By Park Jae-hyuk

The head of Hyundai and Genesis Global Design Center defeated the BYD chairman, the Lucid Motors CEO and top engineers of BMW Group and Toyota Motor in the final round to become the World Car Person of the Year.

The World Car Awards jury panel representing 100 journalists from 32 countries recently voted Hyundai Motor Executive Vice President Lee Sang-yup as this year's award winner.

As a result, Hyundai Motor Group won the award for the second consecutive year. Luc Donckerwolke, the Korean automotive group's chief creative officer, was last year's winner.

The jury panel recognized Lee for his creativity that was behind some of the most stunning and innovative concept and production cars unveiled in 2022, including the IONIQ 6, the new Kona and the N Vision 74.

“Lee's strong design philosophy, vision and leadership have been instrumental in shaping Hyundai's new design language, as demonstrated by the brand's recent successes,” the jury panel said in a press release.

To be eligible for the award, candidates must have made a significant contribution to the global automotive industry with global repercussions during the period of Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2022. That contribution could include a significant impact on their brand or company, for example, or a significant safety, engineering, design or technical advancement or other significant benefits for the consumer.

“This honor is not the recognition of an individual but a testament to a shared collective passion for creativity encouraged by the dedication of Hyundai top management who set us high standards to achieve,” Lee said. “Hyundai is taking on many challenges, but this is just the beginning. We believe our greatest achievements lie ahead of us.”