Hyundai Names New Chief for U.S. Unit

David Zuchowski, who has led U.S. sales operations for Hyundai Motor Co., since October 2010, became president and CEO of the company's Hyundai Motor America unit on Jan. 1.

He succeeds John Krafcik, who stepped down at the end of December after five years as CEO of the U.S. operation.

Zuchowski's major challenge will be to bolster the company's slowing growth rate. Krafcik's tenure as CEO began in late 2008 as the recession was ending. Since then Hyundai's sales in the U.S. have zoomed from 401,700 vehicles to more than 718,000 units.

But the growth rate slowed to about 2% last year from 9% in 2012 and 20% in 2011. Krafcik said previously that U.S. sales were being held back by limited production capacity.

Zuchowski joined Hyundai Motor America in 2007 as vice president of sales. He previously held the same title at Mazda North America.