Hyundai, Kia and Genesis design boss quits

Hyundai Motor Group has confirmed its chief design officer, Luc Donckerwolke, has left the company after tendering his resignation after just two years in the role.

The Korean car-maker offered no official explanation why the 54-year-old Belgian designer left the company, where he oversaw the designs of Genesis, Hyundai and Kia models, other than stating that Donckerwolke left due to personal reasons.

The shock resignation comes almost five years since the designer, who is credited with penning the Lamborghini Murcielago and Gallardo and Bentley Flying Spur among others, walked out of the top job at Bentley design without giving any reasons.

In the wake of Hyundai Motor Group's design boss leaving the big job, the car-maker says SangYup Lee will continue to head up design for the Hyundai and Genesis brands, while ex-Infiniti designer Karim Habib will oversee Kia.

No replacement for Donckerwolke has been mooted by the company.

Arriving at Hyundai Motor Group back in 2016 after a lengthy 22-year spell at the Volkswagen Group, Donckerwolke is credited with designing the Hyundai Kona and Palisade SUV, alongside the most recent Genesis models includes the Q80, Q90 and GV80 SUV.

He replaced former design boss Peter Schreyer, who is now one of the Korean car-making giant's three presidents and may be called on to help find a replacement.

Commenting on his departure in an official statement, Donckerwolke said: “It’s been an honour and privilege to contribute to the shaping of the future of Hyundai, Kia and Genesis.

“Their audacious and progressive attitude has allowed me to push the boundaries and challenge the status quo.”