Kia Motors Europe appoints new Chief Operating Officer, with Michael Cole to take up senior Kia role

Published | 11/04/2018
  • Emilio Herrera appointed as new COO for Kia Motors Europe; previously Managing Director for Kia Motors Iberia
  • Kia Motors Iberia sales more than doubled between 2013 and 2017
  • Michael Cole set to take up senior role in global Kia organisation
  • Cole has overseen 40% European sales growth since November 2012

 

Frankfurt, 11 April 2018 – Kia Motors Europe has appointed Emilio Herrera as its new Chief Operating Officer. He replaces Michael Cole, who is set to take up a senior role elsewhere in the global Kia Motors organisation. Mr. Herrera will be based at Kia’s European headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, working alongside the company’s president, Mr. Yong Kew Park.

Emilio Herrera will be responsible for sustaining the brand’s sales growth, as Kia targets more than 500,000 sales in Europe in 2018. He will also oversee the roll-out of a range of new advanced powertrain vehicles, with 16 new models planned for launch by 2025 – including an all-new fuel-cell electric vehicle in 2020.

Mr Herrera brings with him more than 20 years’ experience in the European automotive sector. He has held the role of Managing Director for Kia Motors Iberia since December 2012, during which time Kia has become the fastest-growing volume brand in Spain, with sales more than doubling between 2013 and 2017. Prior to this, he was Managing Director for Kia Motors Belgium. Born in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1961, he graduated in 1984 in Linguistics and Communication from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium, and speaks six languages.

Cole has been Chief Operating Officer for Kia Motors Europe since November 2012. He has overseen an unprecedented 40% sales growth for the Korean brand in Europe, outpacing the 27% growth in the recovering European market. In 2013, Cole’s first full year as COO, Kia Motors Europe sold 337,972 units and recorded a 2.7% market share. 472,125 sales in 2017 led to a 3.0% share of the European market, with momentum at the start of this year resulting in further growth and a 3.1% share in January and February 2018. Kia Motors will communicate further details of his new role at a later date.

Michael Cole commented: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time in Frankfurt, helping Kia grow its sales, market share and brand awareness across the region. I’d like to thank the team here and in all our European markets for their help and support over the last six years – it’s been a pleasure working with such a talented and dedicated group of people.”

On his appointment as COO of Kia Motors Europe, Emilio Herrera said: “Michael leaves Kia’s European business in a very strong position, and l look forward to working to maintain the company’s impressive growth in the region. A range of new cars and powertrains will give us fresh opportunities to grow sales and expand our market share even further in the coming years.”

 
 
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