Byung-Tae (Brandon) Yea is to leave his role as President of Kia Motors Europe with immediate effect to take up a global role at Hyundai Motor Company. Mr Yea will now become responsible for the Commercial Vehicle Export business at Hyundai Motor Company, based in Seoul, Korea, responsible for developing and overseeing the strategy to expand the company's commercial vehicle business.

In his two years as President of Kia Motors Europe, Mr Yea has overseen tremendous growth for Kia in Europe. Most recently, sales increased from 295,000 in 2011 to 338,000 in 2012, representing an increase in Kia's market share from 2.2 percent to 2.7 percent (ACEA/EU+EFTA). Kia's growth momentum has continued in 2013, with its market share reaching a record level of nearly 2.8 percent in the first eight months of the year and all this despite the most challenging market conditions of a generation, which have seen the European automotive market decline by 5.2 percent (ACEA/EU+EFTA).

Replacing Mr Yea as President of Kia Motors Europe is Mr Ho Sung Song, who has held several senior roles within the Hyundai and Kia organisations since joining Hyundai Motor Company in 1988. He will be based at Kia Motors Europe's headquarters in Frankfurt.