Hyundai Motor president named 2025 MotorTrend Person of the Year

By Nam Hyun-woo

Hyundai Motor President and CEO Jose Munoz has been named this year’s Person of the Year by the top automotive magazine MotorTrend, in recognition of the carmaker’s record growth in the North American market.

Munoz was ranked 15th in MotorTrend’s power rankings last year, but he ascended to the top spot this year, with the magazine praising his rise — marking the first time a foreign national has led the automotive conglomerate.

Founded in 1949, MotorTrend is one of the industry's leading magazines, with a monthly circulation of over 1 million. The magazine ranks the top 50 most influential people in the industry and names one as Person of the Year.

“Munoz has managed successful growth to date, and with expanded responsibilities, he will continue to oversee the corporation’s broader mobility vision, including multiple modes and forms of transportation and propulsion, from regular cars to motorsports to flying taxis, propelled by conventional powertrains, electric motors and hydrogen,” the magazine wrote.

Munoz joined Hyundai Motor Group in 2019 as president and global chief operating officer, overseeing the Hyundai and Genesis brands in the U.S. He made headlines last month by being appointed Hyundai Motor's CEO.

In this year’s rankings, Munoz was followed by Tesla CEO Elon Musk at No. 2, U.S. President Donald Trump at No. 3, and General Motors CEO Mary Barra at No. 4. Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair was ranked No. 12.