Hyundai Motor Group Appoints Uni Hong to Lead Energy and Hydrogen Business

Hyundai Motor Group has appointed Uni Hong as Executive Vice President and Head of its HMG Energy&Hydrogen Business Division, strengthening its leadership as the group expands its hydrogen and broader energy businesses beyond mobility.

Hong brings 18 years of international energy-sector experience from bp, where she worked across hydrogen, petroleum, LNG, ammonia and other energy businesses. At Hyundai Motor Group, she will report to Gang Hyun Seo, President and Head of the Corporate Planning Office, and will be responsible for advancing the group’s future energy strategy and hydrogen ecosystem.

Her appointment is intended to strengthen Hyundai Motor Group’s ability to develop and commercialize energy and hydrogen businesses globally. A major focus will be building out the hydrogen value chain, including production, storage, transportation and refueling infrastructure.

Hong’s experience spans business development, strategy, investment analysis, strategic partnerships and government and policy engagement. During her time at bp, she worked across major energy markets and was involved in evaluating business profitability and investment feasibility for hydrogen and other energy projects.

She joined P&G Korea and later worked at Korea Eximbank before moving to bp. In 2021, she became Chief of Staff to bp’s Head of Technology. The following year, she moved into a leadership role overseeing hydrogen and ammonia business development.

From 2023 onward, Hong led bp’s Global Hydrogen Origination activities, overseeing hydrogen business development as well as government coordination and policy engagement in markets around the world. Her experience in connecting emerging energy opportunities with commercial development is expected to support Hyundai Motor Group as it seeks to scale its hydrogen activities.

Hong said she intends to apply her international experience in energy and hydrogen business development to help Hyundai Motor Group expand beyond mobility and establish a broader presence across the hydrogen ecosystem. She also highlighted the importance of strengthening the group’s existing energy businesses.

Hyundai Motor Group has already developed activities across multiple parts of the hydrogen value chain. The group views hydrogen as a strategic technology not only for transportation but also for energy production, infrastructure and wider industrial applications.

Hong’s appointment comes as the group seeks to accelerate the development of a global next-generation energy ecosystem and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions reduction. Her international network and experience across hydrogen, LNG, ammonia and other energy markets are expected to help Hyundai identify new opportunities and develop partnerships across regions.

The group also expects her experience with governments, industry participants and other stakeholders to support the development of hydrogen infrastructure and supply chains, areas that remain critical to the wider commercialization of hydrogen.

Hong replaces Ken Ramirez, who stepped down from the position for personal reasons. Her appointment gives Hyundai Motor Group a new senior executive with experience spanning both traditional and emerging energy markets as the company continues to broaden its hydrogen strategy.

The move underscores the group’s ambition to build a competitive position across the wider energy sector while continuing to develop hydrogen as a key component of its long-term business and decarbonization strategy.