Hyundai Motor Company today announced that David S. Kim will join the Washington, D.C. office as Vice President of Government Affairs. In this role, Kim will lead Hyundai’s U.S. government affairs program at the federal and state levels. Kim most recently served as Deputy Administrator at the Federal Highway Administration, where he had previously served as Associate Administrator of Policy and Governmental Affairs.
Kim also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary, Governmental Affairs at the U.S. Department of Transportation and as Deputy Assistant for Congressional Affairs at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Hyundai of course has a lot to lose if Trump can get a border tax through Congress even though it has a manufacturing presence in the U.S. Kim has broad experience in dealing with Transportation issues.
Kim previously served as the Head of the Government Relations Department for the Los Angeles County Metro Transportation Authority in Washington, DC as well. Earlier in his career, Kim spent time working in the offices of several lawmakers, including U.S. Representative Xavier Becerra and California State Senator David Roberti.
“David’s familiarity with the auto industry’s issues, his keen understanding of government affairs, and his strategic vision will make him an incredible asset to our company,” said Charlie Kim, Vice President of Hyundai Motor Company.
Kim holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor’s Degree of Political Science from Occidental College.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
