Hyundai Motor America COO Wilhite resigns

Wilhite, who joined Hyundai in August 2006, has been under pressure as it appears the automaker will miss its ambitious goal of topping half a million U.S. sales in 2007.

The former Nissan and Volkswagen executive stepped down Friday, Sept. 21.

Wilhite's resignation is effective today, Hyundai said. A replacement is not yet been named.

"Steve has made many contributions during his time at Hyundai Motor America. We wish him the best in his future endeavors," said Hyundai Motor America CEO Owen Koh in a statement.

Hyundai recently scaled back its sales goal to 510,000 units, down from the 555,000 units the company forecast at the start of the year.

Rumors surfaced last week that Wilhite will move to Ford Motor Co., which has been searching for a chief marketing officer for six months.

Ford's U.S. sales chief, Cisco Codina, retired last week.

Sales through August were off 0.2 percent from last year's pace, when Hyundai sold 455,520 cars and trucks here during the entire year.

Dong Jin Kim, CEO of Hyundai Motor Co., told Automotive News in April that he expected Wilhite and the company to meet the 2007 sales goal.

"I'm confident in Mr. Wilhite," Kim said then. "We are confident we will meet the target of 555,000 units."

Wilhite joined Hyundai from Nissan Motor Co., where he was senior vice president of global marketing. Previously, he was vice president of marketing for Nissan North America.

At Hyundai, Wilhite succeeded Bob Cosmai, who left in early 2006.

Wilhite also was vice president of worldwide marketing communications at Apple Inc. and senior marketing executive at Volkswagen of America, where he steered the "Drivers Wanted" campaign and led the launch of the new Beetle.

He began his automotive career with Ford Motor Co.