BUSINESS BRIEF

Leadership shifting for Hyundai in U.S.

12/28/2013

COSTA MESA, Calif. — John Krafcik, president and chief executive officer of Hyundai Motor America, is stepping down next week, the company said Friday. He will be replaced by David Zuchowski, executive vice president of sales, who joined the company in 2007.

Mr. Krafcik, who became CEO of American operations in 2008, pushed through quality, style, and fuel-efficiency improvements to help drive sales. Hyundai had started to change before he arrived, but the transformation from joke to juggernaut accelerated under his watch.

Mr. Zuchowski previously worked at Ford Motor Co. and Mazda USA.

Hyundai Motor America is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea.