Hyundai Motor Group is undergoing a significant leadership transition as Yang Hee-won, Head of Research & Development (R&D) for Hyundai Motor Company and Kia, has officially announced his retirement. This follows the earlier resignation of Song Chang-hyun, Head of the Mirae Vehicle Platform (AVP) division, marking the simultaneous departure of the group’s top hardware (HW) and software (SW) R&D leaders. Industry analysts expect a large-scale reorganization and generational shift within the company’s technological divisions.
Yang Hee-won to Retire After Leading Hyundai’s R&D Operations
According to Hyundai Motor Company and Kia’s Namyang Technology Research Institute, Yang Hee-won informed key executives of his decision to step down on the 11th at the Hwaseong Namyang Research Institute. A formal retirement ceremony is scheduled for the 15th at the same location.
Yang has played a central role in Hyundai’s hardware-focused R&D division, especially following last year’s structural reorganization that split the group’s development functions into two pillars:
- AVP Headquarters, responsible for software development
- R&D Headquarters, overseeing hardware development
With both Yang and Song now departing, Hyundai Motor Group is expected to pursue a broad restructuring of its R&D framework as it accelerates next-generation mobility initiatives.
Manfred Harrer Expected to Become New R&D Chief
Industry sources report that Manfred Harrer, Vice President of Genesis & Performance Development, is the leading candidate to succeed Yang Hee-won. Harrer is a high-profile international executive known for key engineering roles at Porsche, BMW, and Audi, where he spent 25 years specializing in chassis and software technologies.
Harrer’s background also includes experience in the IT and autonomous vehicle sector, notably leading Apple’s self-driving electric car program. Since joining Hyundai Motor Group in May of last year, he has overseen the development of high-performance models for Genesis.
If appointed, Harrer would become the second foreign R&D head in Hyundai Motor Group’s history, following former R&D chief Albert Biermann. His name is also being discussed as a potential successor for the AVP General Manager role.
Implications for Hyundai Motor Group’s Future Strategy
The simultaneous departure of both HW and SW R&D leaders signals a pivotal moment for Hyundai Motor Group as it intensifies its focus on electrification, autonomous driving, and software-defined vehicle platforms. With Harrer’s extensive cross-industry experience, his anticipated leadership could further accelerate the company’s ambitions in next-generation vehicle technology and global performance engineering.
Hyundai Motor Group is expected to officially announce the new R&D chief and other leadership changes through a presidential appointment in the near future.
