Hyundai Motor Group Chairman & CEO Chung Mong-koo unveiled the group’s 2013 sales target of 7.41 million units, a 4.07 percent rise over the previous year.

Delivering his New Year’s message at a ceremony to celebrate the start of the 2013 business year at the group headquarters in Yangjae-dong, southeastern Seoul, on Jan. 2, Chairman Chung said, “In 2013, market situations are expected to be very tough due to the ongoing European financial crisis and global economic downturn, and we need to strengthen fundamentals through qualitative growth and focus on securing competitiveness for the future to overcome such difficulties.”

“To achieve this year’s goal,” he said, “we will strive for brand innovation based on quality. Quality has been our first priority for our customers and we will continuously aim for the best quality and deliver customer satisfaction at every touch point.”

Chung announced a plan to complete a third blast furnace for building an integrated steel mill with a combined annual production capacity of 12 million metric tons. 

Hyundai Motor Group set four major tasks: implementing an innovative quality management system for imbuing a sense of pride with the brand; expanding investments and jobs for securing future growth potential; achieving a sales target of 7.41 million car units; and translating exemplary corporate practices into contributions to national economic and social development.

He praised the group’s staff’s efforts to sustain growth and development despite the uncertainties in the external and internal business environment.

Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors have established a more solid global production network with 30 plants in nine countries by completing a third plant in Beijing and a plant in Brazil during 2012. The automaker group has solidified its standing as a global automaker by producing and selling 7.12 million units in 2012, an 8 percent increase from the previous year. 

Hyundai Steel has contributed to enhancing the quality of vehicles by developing and providing high quality steel for cars. With the completion of a third furnace, which is now under construction, Hyundai Steel can provide up to 12 million tons annually from this year, he said.

Hyundai E&C achieved cumulative overseas sales of $90 billion for the first time among Korean construction companies. 

Chung said, “The effects of the euro zone debt crisis and the global economic recession will likely adversely affect overseas and domestic business conditions during this year, and we have to strengthen our foundation through qualitative growth and secure future competiveness to overcome hardships.” He also announced a plan to make more investments to secure future growth momentum and create jobs. 

The automaker group plans to increase R&D investments in the eco-friendly cars and electronic control systems segments and to accelerate its bid to secure technological competiveness by nurturing gifted manpower.

The chairman said his motor group should more proactively respond to changes in the market through close cooperation within its global network. “We should reinforce not only cooperation between production and sales parts, but also communication and cooperation with our partners including parts makers and dealers,” he said. 

Hyundai Motor Group’s recent reshuffle has been summed up as coping with a crisis, compensating for outcomes, quality management, and maximizing sales capability.

Kia Motors design chief Peter Schreyer and Hyundai Glovis Vice President Kim Kyung-bae have both been promoted to president, a move indicative of promotion based on performance. Schreyer, the chief designer for Kia Motor who previously worked for Audi and Volkswagen, has been credited with building a solid design management foundation. The first non-Korean president of a Hyundai Motor Group company, he is reputed for reinventing Kia’s design style in a successful fashion. He is also in charge of  Hyundai Motor's design. 

Hyundai Glovis’Kim has been recognized for his contribution to achieving a feat of going beyond goals. Hyundai Glovis posted 11 trillion won in sales in 2012, a sharp rise over the 9.5 trillion won in 2011. The two are among 379 who were promoted in the recent annual personnel change.