Hyundai Motor Group appoints Biermann to lead Vehicle Test & High-performance Development
The Hyundai Motor Group has appointed BMW engineering guru Albert Biermann as its new head of Vehicle Test & High Performance Development, taking responsibility for new high-performance vehicles and technologies at the Korean automotive group.
Biermann, whose last role was vice president engineering at BMW M Automobiles, will be based at Hyundai Motor Group’s Research & Development Centre in Namyang, Korea, to lead the development of new high performance Hyundai and Kia models, as well as oversee engineering projects relating to ride and handling, safety, reliability and the mitigation of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).
Biermann’s appointment is part of a drive to develop Hyundai and Kia vehicles that lead their segments for rewarding driving dynamics. His move to Hyundai Motor will accelerate the roll-out of new high-performance vehicles and technologies and will help to improve the dynamic capabilities of cars across the range.
Hyundai Motor intends to become a technical leader in ride and handling, producing vehicles that lead their respective segments for driver engagement.
Hyundai Motor’s involvement in the World Rally Championship (WRC) should also benefit from Biermann’s appointment, thanks to increased sharing of performance technologies and insights between engineering programmes for the road and rally cars.
Biermann (57), who will start in his new position at the Hyundai Motor Group on 1 April 2015, has over 30 years of experience in the development of high-performance vehicles, most recently in his current role as vice president engineering BMW M Automobiles and BMW Individual at BMW M GmbH, Germany, a position he has held since 2008. He joined BMW in 1983 and has played a key part in honing the performance and dynamics of some of the marque’s most acclaimed road and race cars.
“I couldn’t be more excited to join Hyundai Motor Group. It is a company I have watched closely as it has taken on its key competitors and quickly established a strong customer base in Europe. 2015 is a key year for the brand with the launch of many all-new models and the start of its second season in WRC, so I am really looking forward to the challenge,” said Biermann about his appointment.
Woong Chul Yang, vice chairman of Hyundai Motor Company and head of the Hyundai-Kia R&D Centre at Namyang, said: “This is a senior engineering appointment and an important part of our effort to further optimize the dynamics of our vehicles, providing even greater rewards for keen drivers.
“Mr. Biermann has unrivalled credentials in this field and his expertise and experience will help us accelerate the development of new Hyundai and Kia cars that are great to drive, and the transfer of innovative technologies and insights between our road-car and motorsport engineering teams.”
Earlier in 2014 Hyundai Motor opened its new European Test Centre at the Nürburgring in Germany, allowing the company to test more effectively and accurately the reliability and drivability of new vehicles.
