After hacking away Bentley's chief designer last year, Hyundai has announced on Monday that they have also secured the services of Bentley's exterior designer SangYup Lee.
Strangely, this isn't the first time employees of Bentley landed in Hyundai. Last year, Luc Donckerwolke was also lured away to Hyundai, after he accused Hyundai of stealing their design and implementing it in the Continental concept.
Notably, the fact that Lee will be working with Luc Donckerwolke to lead Hyundai's development of Genesis has brought the rumors of Donckerwolke showing Lee the ropes to surface. Chung Euisun, the apparent heir to the Hyundai group, will drive the Genesis project.
"Lee will help...enhance the design competitiveness of both the Hyundai and Genesis brands with his abundant experience in designing high-end luxury vehicles," Hyundai said in its statement, according to Reuters. "His challenging and innovative design languages fit well with the DNA of Hyundai Motor.
Lee mentioned that he has joined Hyundai as a vice president in charge of Genesis and Hyundai design and will be reporting to Donckerwolke, who will be heading Hyundai's Prestige Design Division, according to The Verge.
On the other hand, Bentley spokesperson, Andrew Roberts has confirmed that Lee "has resigned from Bentley to take a position at another brand."
Lee, 46, was in charge of Bentley's exterior design since 2012. He has previously worked at Volkswagen's design division in California and in General Motors. He mentioned that he was approached by Hyundai two months ago, and would design Genesis cars from a "clean sheet of paper".
Lee mentioned that with the help of Donckerwolke, he will be able to make Genesis a globally recognized premium.
Chung, the lead of the Genesis project, was involved with hiring not only Lee and Donckerwolke but also Manfred Fitzgerald, former design and brand director at Lamborghini.
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