SEOUL: Hyundai Motor announced on Friday that Albert Biermann, president and head of the Research and Development (R&D) division for the group, is retiring, but will continue to act as an executive technical advisor for the group based in Europe.
As advisor, he will advise the group on the development of new products and on future technologies, including UAM, robotics and hydrogen fuel cells.
He will also support the development of the electrification of performance vehicles, while playing a role in talent development by passing on his expert knowledge at Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center GmbH.
“It has been a tremendous pleasure and honour for me to work for Hyundai Motor Group and lead our engineering division to become a ‘second-to-none’ R&D centre in the entire automotive industry. Now, our vehicles standout apart from the competition in many aspects and embody our strong engineering expertise and commitment,” said Biermann, 65.
“Korea will remain as my second home, and all of my colleagues at Hyundai Motor Group will always be considered part of my family."
Biermann joined Hyundai as executive vice president and head of vehicle testing & high-performance development in April 2015 following 31 years at BMW.
Based at the group’s R&D Center in Namyang, South Korea, he has led the development of new Hyundai, Genesis and Kia models, and overseen engineering projects relating to ride and handling, safety, reliability and the mitigation of NVH (noise, vibration and harshness).
He was also instrumental in setting up the Hyundai N high performance vehicle sub brand.
In 2018, the group named him president and head of R&D division at Hyundai Motor Group.
Under his watch, Hyundai and Kia had improved significantly with the launch of performance oriented vehicles, such as Hyundai i30 N and Kia Stinger, raising global awareness of both brands’ high-performance capabilities.
