Hyundai-Kia Taps BMW Exec to Push Performance
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Washington DC February 4, 2015; The AIADA newsletter reported that Hyundai has hired the chief engineer from of BMW's legendary M Sport performance cars to make its vehicles more sporty and responsive.
Thirty-year BMW veteran Albert Biermann recently assumed the new position of Hyundai Motor Group head of vehicle test and high-performance development. Biermann starts work April 1, the beginning of what the company calls a drive "to become a technical leader in ride and handling, producing vehicles that lead their respective segments for driver engagement." Hyundai says Biermann, who was previously vice president of engineering at BMW's legendary M performance group, will also "accelerate the rollout of new high-performance vehicles and technologies."
According to Phelan, if the Korean giant adds some excitement and enthusiast appeal to rational selling points like high fuel economy and excellent warranties, the sky's the limit. If Hyundai and Kia get as serious about performance as they were about becoming leaders in fuel economy and styling, the rest of the auto industry had better watch out.
