Never before has design been so important in the automotive industry, a statement now substantiated by the decision of the jury of the 2013 Golden Steering Wheel awards. In one of the car industry's most prestigious awards programmes, Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Design Officer of the Hyundai Motor Group, has received the Honorary Golden Steering Wheel, awarded for outstanding achievements in the automotive industry.

Bavarian-born Schreyer has been Chief Design Officer at Kia Motors since 2006 and was appointed President of all Hyundai-Kia Design Centres at the beginning of 2013. With overall design responsibility for the world's fifth largest car manufacturer, Schreyer is only the second designer in the 31-year history of the Golden Steering Wheel to receive the award. Giorgetto Giugiaro received it in 1995.

The most recent recipients of the award include Ferdinand Piëch, Chairman of the Volkswagen Supervisory Board (2012), Alan Mulally, CEO of Ford Motor Company (2011) and Norbert Reithofer, CEO of BMW (2010). The competition is organised by Bild am Sonntag and AutoBild, and the official presentation ceremony will take place on 12 November 2013 in Berlin.