[REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK] Hyundai Motor's stock rally puts Munoz to test
How much of Hyundai Motor's dramatic stock rally can be attributed to CEO Jose Munoz? Since taking the helm in January 2025 as Hyundai Motor's first foreign CEO, Munoz has faced U.S. tariff pressure, intensifying competition and a rapidly changing auto market. Yet the company's stock has nearly doubled, rising from around 220,000 won ($159) when he took over to 415,000 won as of Friday's close. Munoz can point to several achievements. He has put a greater focus on the group's U.S. business, where Hyundai Motor has maintained its market share despite the 15 percent U.S. auto tariff. The company has also expanded its hybrid lineup and increased local production in North America. At the same time, Munoz has pushed Hyundai Motor, Kia and Genesis to work more closely on engineering, manufacturing, purchasing and distribution to cut costs and protect profits. Those efforts have helped Hyundai Motor maintain strong sales, despite a challenging business environment. Second-quarter revenue hit a record 49.2 trillion won, but operating profit fell more than 20 percent from a year earlier as tariff
Korea Times Business | Aug 21, 2026, 2:17 PM
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