Xavier Martinet brings over 27 years of automotive industry experience as he succeeds Michael Cole, marking a new chapter of leadership and sustainable growth for Hyundai Motor Europe.
Hyundai Motor Europe (HME) has confirmed that Xavier Martinet will succeed Michael Cole as President and CEO of the company, starting January 1, 2025. This leadership transition comes as Cole steps down from his role on December 31, 2024, after more than five years of significant contributions to Hyundai’s success in the European market.
Martinet joins Hyundai with an extensive background in the automotive industry, having spent over 27 years in various high-level roles across Europe and the United States. His career began in 1997 at Renault, where he advanced through positions in Sales and Marketing, including Sales Manager at Renault Retail Group, Managing Director of Renault Italia, and Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the Dacia brand. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President of Commercial Services, further solidifying his reputation as a strategic leader in the automotive sector.
Upon his appointment, Martinet expressed his excitement about joining Hyundai, a company he described as a “technology and innovation leader” in the automotive industry. He emphasized his commitment to guiding HME’s teams towards sustainable growth while ensuring exceptional customer satisfaction and fostering strong collaborations with dealers and import partners.
Jose Munoz, President and Global Chief Operating Officer of Hyundai Motor Company (HMC), praised Martinet’s European expertise and proven leadership. Munoz remarked that Hyundai is eager to welcome him aboard, confident in his ability to build on the company’s achievements and take it to new heights.
Martinet will take the reins from Michael Cole, whose tenure at HME has been marked by exceptional growth and strategic advancements. Under Cole’s leadership since 2020, Hyundai strengthened its presence in Europe and worked towards establishing itself as a key player in mobility solutions. Munoz acknowledged Cole’s pivotal role in the company’s success and thanked him for his contributions.
In reflecting on his time at Hyundai, Cole shared that after a career spanning over 40 years in the automotive industry, he plans to return to the UK and spend more time with his family. He expressed pride in Hyundai’s progress and confidence that the HME team would continue to drive the company’s future growth in Europe.
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