Kia Motors India makes senior level appointments

Manohar Bhat has been appointed as head of marketing and sales and Yong S. Kim as executive director.

In a recent announcement, Kia Motors India (KMI) has appointed Manohar Bhat as head of marketing and sales and Yong S. Kim as executive director, effective immediately. They will be a part of the core senior management team at KMI and will be instrumental in setting up the India operations for marketing and sales.

Bhat will be responsible for marketing, sales and after-sales service operations. He will work towards building the brand Kia as a household name in India. An automotive industry veteran with twenty five years of experience, Bhat has headed various marketing and sales functions nationally with major Indian automakers.

In his new role, Kim will be responsible for overseeing the sales function, mid-to long-term strategic plans of KMI, and coordination with Kia Motors Corporation head office in South Korea. He will coordinate marketing and sales requirements of KMI at a corporate level, equipping KMI strengthen its position in the Indian market.

Kim has thirty years of auto experience with various global country positions in KMC. With his deep understanding of the Indian market since he set up operations here in the initial days of his career, he is well poised to play a vital role in making Kia a success in India, what will be the third largest auto market in the world soon.

Commenting on the appointments, Kookhyun Shim, MD and CEO, KMI, says in a press release, “The appointments of Manohar Bhat and Yong S. Kim to pivotal senior roles at KMI is the next step in forming an experienced top management team who will realize KMI’s vision and the big plans we have for India.”

He adds, “Kia is a car brand associated globally with being dynamic, youthful and extremely stylish. With a positive can-do attitude lying at the heart of everything that we do, Manohar is a perfect fit for our brand ethos and I am confident he will take us from strength to strength.”

Commenting on his appointment, Bhat, says in a press release, “It is indeed a challenging role and I am excited about making Kia the preferred choice in all segments across India. We are confident that we will be not only capture substantial market-share once we launch the brand, but also be a player who delights and has the power to surprise its new Indian customers.”