A Second Bentley Designer Jumps to Hyundai

Hyundai Motor Co. has hired Sangyup Lee, who previously led exterior design for Volkswagen AG’s Bentley unit, to be vice president of design for its namesake brand and new Genesis luxury unit.

Lee will report to Luc Donckerwolke, who Hyundai lured away from Bentley last year to succeed Peter Schreyer as the Korean carmaker’s design chief. Schreyer is due to retire next year.

Lee tells Reuter he will take a "clean sheet" approach to the design of future Genesis models. He says this will include transitioning the concept of luxury from a focus on possessions to creating special experiences.  

At Bentley, Lee is credited with penning the new Bentayga crossover/SUV. He also worked at Volkswagen Group’s design center in California.

After graduating from Hongik University’s Department of Sculpture in Korea and the Art Center College of Design in California, Lee began his career at Pininfarina. He later worked for Porsche and General Motors, where he was part of the team that designed the 2009 Chevrolet Camaro.