Luc Donckerwolke, the Belgian designer who overhauled styling at Hyundai, Kia and Genesis, citing personal reasons, is leaving Hyundai Motor.
Donckerwolke joined the Korean maker from Volkswagen in 2015 to lead design at the Hyundai and Genesis brands. He expanded that portfolio in 2018 to become chief design officer of the entire Hyundai Motor Group, taking over the Kia marque as well.
“It’s been an honour and privilege to contribute to the shaping of the future of Hyundai, Kia and Genesis,” Donckerwolke said. “Their audacious and progressive attitude has allowed me to push the boundaries and challenge the status quo.”
Hyundai will not name a successor as chief design officer for the entire group. Instead, SangYup Lee will continue in his role as head of design for the Hyundai and Genesis brands, while Karim Habib will remain at the helm of Kia after being poached from Infiniti last year.
Peter Schreyer, the German designer who was hired away from the Volkswagen Group and catapulted Hyundai design into global prominence, remains at the automaker. He is president of design management, though he has stepped back from daily involvement of studios.
At Genesis, Donckerwolke played a pivotal role in giving the premium Genesis brand an independent identity and helped it achieve a clean break from holdover Hyundai styling.