Dongfeng Yueda Kia has new Korean boss

Shanghai, October 20 (Gasgoo.com) Dongfeng Yueda Kia Automobile Company recently confirmed that Park Chong Ok, taking place of the retired Koh Ok Suk, will assume Korean general manager of the joint venture, said West China City Daily today.

Park Chong Ok, with 33 years of experience in auto industry, has worked in Hyundai’s Korean sales department since he joined the company in 1975. He said that he would introduce some new methods and strategies to the joint venture by combining his successful experience in Korea with China’s realities.

Dongfeng Yueda Kia posted a huge sales increase in 2008 due to hot selling of Sportage, Cerato and Rio. Through September, the automaker’s sales grew by 45%, surpassed the industry’s 8% average increase during this period.

Park Chong Ok saw the fourth quarter of 2008 as a key period. He said the company’s Yancheng second factory has represented its capacity superiority, and the hot-selling Sportage and Cerato proved the company’s position in the market. The final three months will be a period for Dongfeng Yueda Kia to fulfill its target set at the beginning of this year and to build a solid base for 2009, he said.

Sources said the second plant will roll out two new models, code-named TDc and AMc in China by 2009. The two models, put on sale in Korea recently, are seeing good sales in Korea now.

It is also reported that Dongfeng Yueda Kia’s sales headquarters will move to Nanjing from Shanghai by November. The automaker expects to acquire tax favor by Jiangsu government, to keep close contact with its Jiangsu-based Yancheng factory and also to cut costs, sources said.