Tony Whitehorn inducted into Automotive Management Hall of Fame
- Former Hyundai Motor UK President and CEO, Tony Whitehorn was inducted into the AM Hall of Fame at last night’s annual AM Awards
- Over 13 years in his role, Tony guided Hyundai UK from annual sales of 28,000 in 2008 to more than 93,000 in 2017
- Tony officially stepped down at the end of 2018, replaced by Ashley Andrew, who moved into the role of Managing Director
- Hyundai also won one of the event’s headline awards, named Manufacturer of the Year for innovations in its product line-up and retail network
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Tony stepped down officially at the end of 2018, to be replaced by Ashley Andrew as Managing Director.
Tony has been a dynamic, successful, highly respected leader at Hyundai Motor UK and we’re delighted to induct him into the AM Hall of Fame in recognition of that. He has left the brand in a far stronger position than it was in when he joined, and its innovations look set to continue under his successor, Ashley Andrew.
Tony joined Hyundai Motor UK as Managing Director in 2005. In 2011, he became the first non-Korean in the history of Hyundai Motor Europe to be promoted to President and CEO. In that time, he presided over the Company’s rapid expansion in the UK as it went from selling roughly 28,000 units a year in 2008 to 56,000 in 2009 following the success of the Government’s Scrappage Scheme, and now into the list of top ten car manufacturers in the UK.
During Whitehorn’s tenure, the Hyundai line-up has grown and diversified at an astonishing rate; from hatchbacks and SUVs to a range that now includes the i30N hot hatch, zero emissions Kona Electric and the 413-mile range NEXO Fuel Cell Vehicle. Under Whitehorn, Hyundai Motor UK also became the first manufacturer to offer an entirely digital sales process for all of its retailers nationwide, as it launched Click to Buy.
I am honoured to have been recognised in this way by AM and privileged to have spent the last 13 years working for Hyundai with a team of exceptional people and dealer partners who helped me to realise the potential of the business in the UK. Working in the car industry has always been exciting, inspiring and challenging and never has that been more true than right now. The industry is facing many challenges both here in the UK and globally but I am confident that the skill, expertise and passion of its people will steer it through the times ahead.
Hyundai also took home one of the headline prizes at the AM Awards, as it was named Manufacturer of the Year. Judges praised Hyundai’s excellent product line-up, including its innovations in alternative powertrains, and forward-thinking retail network.
Press contact
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Natasha Waddington
Head of PR
natasha.waddington@hyundai.co.ukRobin Hayles
Head of Product & Technical PR
robin.hayles@hyundai.co.ukEmma Illman
Product Press Officer
emma.illman@hyundai.co.ukHarriet Ward
PR Coordinator
