Hyundai Motor Philippines Inc. (HMPH) announced that it will transition to new management, effective July 27, 2026. This is after being led by the outgoing HMPH president, Jiho Son, for nearly two years.
Hyundai Motor PH expressed its gratitude to the outgoing president for his dedicated leadership. Son was appointed as HMPH’s president in October 2024. Under his term, Son managed to strengthen Hyundai’s presence in the Philippines through the inauguration of new dealerships and achieved significant improvements in its Global Dealership Space Identity (GDSI). This effort is said to have helped HMPH reinforce the Korean brand’s commitment to delivering a world-class customer and dealership experience nationwide.
Hyundai Motor PH added that Son led the expansion of Hyundai’s model lineup in the local market, bringing in hybrid offerings such as the all-new Kona Hybrid, all-new Elantra Hybrid, and all-new Palisade Hybrid, which shows the brand’s commitment to offering new energy vehicles to local consumers.
It is also under Son’s term that Hyundai Motor PH managed to be a mobility partner for the 2026 ASEAN Summit, where the Korean car brand has moved to provide 50 Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs as official protocol vehicles. It has also collaborated with the Philippine government, as HMPH donated two Elantra units to boost the Philippine National Police’s patrol fleet. Aside from that, HMPH also launched the Ioniq Forest Project, aimed at long-term forest restoration, biodiversity conservation, and community empowerment in Lian, Batangas.
Son will pass the torch to the new incoming HMPH president. Moving forward, HMPH’s operations will be spearheaded by its new president, Byung Goo Ko, effective July 27. Byung Goo Ko previously served as Team Leader of the India & Middle East Business Team under Hyundai Motor Company.
Hyundai Motor PH added that the brand remains steadfast in its commitment to innovating the car ownership experience and providing mobility solutions for all Filipinos nationwide, as it enters this new chapter. Together with its dealer partners, customers, and stakeholders, HMPH looks forward to building on its momentum and pursuing new opportunities in the years ahead.
Autocar’s Take
Hyundai Motor Philippines is about to begin a new chapter under the leadership of a new president. The transition will be made effective by July 27, 2026. Hyundai Motor PH said that it will continue its commitment to innovating the car ownership experience and providing mobility solutions to the local market. The car brand is confident that the foundations laid by the outgoing president will be a good starting point for its incoming leader. Expect to have more detailed information on the priority initiatives the incoming president has once HMPH officially announces the appointment of Byung Goo Ko.
