Hyundai Motor Company Italy: Francesco Colonnese appointed President and CEO
Press material
Hyundai Motor Company Italy announces the appointment of Francesco Colonnese as President and CEO, effective from 9 November. Colonnese, who will report to Xavier Martinet, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Europe, takes over the leadership of Hyundai’s Italian subsidiary following the interim period entrusted to Andrea Crespi (currently Vice President Sales and Service of Hyundai Motor Europe).
Colonnese will lead Hyundai Italy at a decisive time for strengthening the role of the Brand in the Italian market: over the coming months, the Brand will significantly renew its line-up with the launch of new key models, supported by a vision of innovation focused on people and by one of the most comprehensive powertrain offerings on the market. This positioning is founded on the wealth of expertise and technologies developed by Hyundai in numerous fields beyond automotive and on the Brand’s ability to transform these experiences into concrete solutions for increasingly advanced mobility that is in line with people’s needs. Francesco will also be responsible for the premium brand Genesis in the Italian market, with the aim of supporting and consolidating its expansion.
His mandate is based on three priorities: strengthening the partnership with dealers, starting with the profitability of the network; building healthy and long-lasting growth, based on end customers and the long-term value of vehicles; enhancing the people of Hyundai Italy, an experienced and talented team called upon to play a leading role in this new phase.
The Italian dealer network is at the heart of this vision, as a strategic partner and the first point of contact with customers. For this reason, during the first weeks of his mandate, Colonnese will personally meet dealers across the country and will individually listen to the people of Hyundai Italy. From these discussions will emerge the strategic and commercial guidelines that will be shared with the network at the beginning of 2027.
I am pleased to welcome Francesco Colonnese as President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company Italy. Italy is one of the most important markets in Europe and will make a fundamental contribution to Hyundai’s future growth, supported by our renewed line-up that will be launched throughout 2027. Francesco brings solid international experience in dealer network development, brand growth and business transformation, elements that will be fundamental to strengthening Hyundai and Genesis’ position in the Italian market. Finally, I would like to thank Andrea Crespi for the work carried out with great commitment during the interim period.
A manager with more than 15 years of international experience gained in multinational companies in the automotive, financial and entertainment sectors, Francesco Colonnese has built his professional career by holding roles of increasing responsibility, with a particular focus on change management, business development and innovation.
Within FCA, from the end of 2019 he led B2B activities in Spain, before taking responsibility for Alfa Romeo in the Iberian Peninsula, accompanying the brand through a period of profound transformation. At Stellantis, he led Lancia’s European Business Development, contributing to the project for the brand’s international relaunch and building its commercial and sales force presence in six European markets outside Italy.
Since the beginning of 2024, he has made a decisive contribution to the launch and rapid growth of OMODA JAECOO (Chery Group) in the Iberian market, first leading commercial activities in Spain and, from mid-2025, as Vice President Iberia, becoming the first non-Chinese manager to reach this position within Chery Group. An experience that gave him direct knowledge of how the arrival of new players is reshaping the rules of the European market.
Throughout his career, Colonnese has gained significant experience in managing international organizations and complex transformation projects, combining a focus on results and business development with a leadership approach based on valuing people, listening and collaboration, in the belief that motivated teams and satisfied partners are the strongest driver of lasting performance.
I am proud to join Hyundai and to take over the leadership of the Italian organization at a particularly important time for Hyundai and Genesis brands. Hyundai is opening a new chapter in its journey, supported by a major renewal of its line-up and by an ability to innovate that goes far beyond the automobile, thanks to its leadership in several industrial fields. My first priority will be to listen to the network and the people of Hyundai Italy, to understand together what works and what can be improved. I’m convinced that the conditions are now ideal to further strengthen Hyundai’s position and contribute to the growth of Genesis in the Italian market. I look forward to starting to work together with our team of talented and experienced people and our dealer network, fundamental partners in staying close to customers and turning our ambitions into concrete results across the country. At a time of major change for the automotive industry, I take on this new responsibility with great enthusiasm and determination.
