Hyundai conquests from Volkswagen Group
- Latest: Manfred Fitzgerald – Lamborghini’s recent director of brand and design – to head up Genesis brand
- Joins Luc Donckerwolke, leads Genesis brand’s Prestige Design Division as head of the Hyundai Motor Design Center from mid-2016 – was responsible for design of Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, SEAT and Skoda models
- Former Audi design guru Peter Schreyer is president and chief design officer of Hyundai Motor Group
IN yet another coup for Hyundai’s global luxury market aspirations, former Lambo man Manfred Fitzgerald – until recently Lamborghini’s director of brand and design – is to head up its Genesis brand from January, 2016.
Based in Hyundai Motor headquarters, Seoul, the man who played a pivotal role in transforming the Italian prototype supercar company into a luxury brand will be in charge of establishing and executing strategies for Genesis as senior vice president.
For the brand to set a strong foothold in the global luxury car market, Mr Fitzgerald, 52, will take a core role in brand strategy, marketing and other business operations within Genesis. During his 12-year career at Lamborghini, Mr Fitzgerald increased its sales tenfold as the director of brand and design, also heading up its promotion in the melee of the racing world.
Mr Fitzgerald, who brings about 20 years of expertise and experience in luxury car brand strategy and marketing, completes a trio of top names at Hyundai who formerly held senior positions in the Volkswagen Group, which acquired Lamborghini in 1998.
He will be working alongside Luc Donckerwolke, who will lead the Genesis brand’s Prestige Design Division as head of the Hyundai Motor Design Center from mid-2016. Donckerwolke was previously responsible for the design of Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, SEAT and Skoda models at the Volkswagen Group.
The work of the new Prestige Design Division will be overseen by Peter Schreyer, as part of his group-wide design responsibilities as president and chief design officer (CDO) of Hyundai Motor Group.
For nearly 30 years Schreyer, possibly best known for his input into the Audi TT, was a key influence in Audi and later Volkswagen design, before joining Hyundai Motor company Kia to head up design in a transformation of the marque.
He says: “In creating the design signature of Genesis brand cars, we set out to display confidence and originality, creating highly desirable products that present new charm through innovative styling and proportions.”
The name ‘Genesis’, which also means new beginnings, hints at the new values and standards that the brand will bring to the global luxury car market.
See Luxury sector’s new beginning with Hyundai Genesis luxury brand.
