Hyundai Chooses Former Toyota Exec as COO for U.S. Unit

Hyundai Motor Co. has selected Brian Smith, who retired from Toyota Motor Corp. a month ago, to be its chief operating officer for its Hyundai Motor America unit, effective Oct. 25.

Smith, 58, is a 35-year veteran at Toyota. His most recent post was vice president of retail transformation. He also was past vice president of marketing for Toyota’s Lexus luxury brand in North America.

Smith wil step into a COO position that hasn’t been filled for the past 10 years. He will be responsible for corporate and product strategy, sales, marketing, customer satisfaction and dealer development. He will be expected to reverse Hyundai’s 13% slide in the U.S. sales this year. The task is difficult because of a product lineup that is too heavy on slow-selling sedans and too light on high-demand crossover vehicles.

Smith will report to Kyung Soo “Kenny” Lee, who was named president and CEO for the North American unit last month. The CEO position had been occupied on an interim basis by General Counsel Jerry Flannery.