Hyundai Motor Philippines (HMPH) has announced Byung Goo Ko as its new president effective today, July 27, 2026. Ko has a tenure of over two decades with the Hyundai Motor Company, and has held roles in international market development, sales operations, and global business strategy.
Ko succeeds outgoing HMPH president Jiho Son, who took up the post four years ago. Hyundai shares that Son’s leadership was marked by expansions to both its model lineup and dealership network. Ko is expected to maintain the brand’s momentum in the Philippine market; Hyundai currently sits at tenth in terms of car sales as of June this year.
“The Philippines has always been a valued market for us at Hyundai Motor Company, and we see so much potential for growth,” Ko says in the brand’s release announcing his leadership. “With a constantly changing automotive landscape, it’s now more important than ever to strengthen our brand presence and to inspire consumer confidence.”
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HMPH managing director Cecil Capacete welcomed Ko as the brand’s new president, commenting that “[Ko] is a seasoned figure in the automotive industry with extensive experience across all business operations. With him at the helm, HMPH looks forward to building on its momentum and pursuing new opportunities in the years ahead.”
Hyundai has had a quiet year so far in the Philippines, with its biggest launch so far being the Staria Hybrid. Besides mentions of “the next phase of sustained growth,” there are no obvious hints as to what the brand’s next moves are. We’ll stay tuned as we watch where Ko’s leadership takes the Korean automaker in our market.
