Marc Hedrich makes history as the first European to lead Kia's European division

Changes at top-tier positions aren't typically a regular occurrence for major brands. Hence, when they do occur, they invariably create a considerable buzz. This is precisely the situation with Kia, as they appoint a non-Korean person to head their European division for the first time in history.

Marc Hedrich, the new General Manager of Kia Europe, succeeds Wona Jeong Jeonga. Hedrich's familiarity with the Korean manufacturer's hierarchy is worth noting — he has served as the President of Kia France for nine years. However, his overall experience in the automotive industry is even more extensive.

He has been serving in managerial roles for over three decades. His journey started in the 90s at Ford's French branch. From there, his career took off in France, as he moved on to become the marketing director of Škoda, Seat, and Toyota, respectively. It was precisely during his stint with Japanese companies that his ascend to strategic and managerial positions began.

In 2015, Hedrich joined the French branch of Kia as a managing director. As the year 2021 rolled in, he ascended to the position of divisional president. Now, his mission is to sustain and enhance the brand's positive momentum in terms of sales, critical acclaim, and customer satisfaction.