Albert Biermann announces departure from Hyundai

Hyundai Motor Group President and Head of Research and Development, Albert Biermann, has announced his retirement, but will continue as an advisor to the Korean car giant from Europe.

Biermann left a three decades-long tenure at BMW to join Hyundai Motor Group in 2015, overseeing the development of some of its most prolific models and the launch of the high-performance Hyundai N brand in 2016.

The 65-year-old is credited with helping to develop the critically-acclaimed Kia Stinger, Veloster N, and i30 N, and more recent models such as the i20 N and Kona N.

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“It has been a tremendous pleasure and honour for me to work for Hyundai Motor Group and lead our engineering division to become a ‘second-to-none’ R&D centre in the entire automotive industry,” Biermann said at the announcement.

“Now, our vehicles standout apart from the competition in many aspects and embody our strong engineering expertise and commitment.”

Hyundai Motor Group’s design boss Peter Schreyer will also depart the company after 15 years. Schreyer is perhaps best-known for designing the Mk4 Golf, Audi TT, New Beetle, Kia Stinger, Hyundai i30, and a number of formative Genesis models.

However, a recent article from local newspaper The Korea Times suggests the two were forced out by Hyundai chairman Chung Euisun, who took the position in October 2020, as he looks to transform the organisation into a mobility company – a direction which will see Hyundai Motor Group manufacture flying cars and scooters.

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Despite the report, Biermann will move to the role of Executive Technical Advisor for Hyundai upon his return to Europe.

“Korea will remain as my second home, and all of my colleagues at Hyundai Motor Group will always be considered part of my family,” Biermann said.

“I would like to recognise that our success has always been based on the strong collective spirit of the many talented people at Hyundai and I will value our unique achievements wherever I live.”