Krafcik named CEO of Hyundai America

Hyundai is once again shuffling the deck at its U.S. operation. Since 2003, four different backsides have sat in the CEO seat. Finbarr O'Neill, Bob Cosmai, Steve Wilhite, and Jon Eun Kim were not able to gain enough ground towards the brand's goal of selling 1 million units by 2010, so now it's time for John Krafcik to try his hand. Krafcik will move up from his VP of Product Development and Strategic Planning position where he helped shape Hyundai's most recent successes. He played a role ensuring the Genesis and Santa Fe would resonate with the American market, and his reward is the new title of acting President and CEO of the U.S. unit for Hyundai. In the past, individuals named as "acting" executives had the probationary title removed within just a few months. While Hyundai no longer thinks it will shift 1 million cars by 2010, Krafcik will try to keep the dealer body pleased with stable upper management and continuing to release world-class product at more reasonable prices than the competition.

[Source: Automotive News ,sub req'd]