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Hyundai Motor America Dismisses President & CEO Dave Zuchowski

Hyundai Motor has been facing a dilemma in the United States recently. Amid the record monthly sales results and the launch of its new Genesis luxury brand, it’s faced the reality that its current production and lineup systems do not have the capacity for improvement that the company needs to succeed.

Hyundai–not an automaker to refrain from change–has suddenly and unexpectedly changed its direction today–one that no longer aligns with its current USA President & CEO Dave Zuchowski.

While very few details have been revealed about Zuchowski’s dismissal from Hyundai USA, the news certainly has everyone’s attention.

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According to a press release from Hyundai and a report from Automotive News, the Korean automaker has fired CEO Dave Zuchowski this morning. Zuchowski, who has been driving a lot of the changes Hyundai is currently undergoing, has been an integral part in making the automaker what it is today.

“Zuchowski led Hyundai to be the fastest-growing automobile manufacturer in the United States,” a representative of the Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance said of Zuchowski as he was given their Lifetime Achievement Award. “He is one of the great leaders in the automotive industry, respected by the dealers as one of the best factory guys in the business, and has been responsible for Hyundai’s continued growth and success in the US for the past 10 years.”

Unfortunately, according to unnamed inside sources cited by Automotive News, Zuchowski failed to fulfill expected sales goals.

In the meantime while Hyundai is looking for a long-term replacement for Zuchowski, general counsel and executive vice president Jerry Flannery has been appointed interim CEO of the company’s American branch.

What this means for the future of Hyundai is uncertain, but you can expect this to be the start of a new period of the automaker’s history.

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News Source: Automotive News (subscription required)