Hyundai Motor launches division for N-branded cars

Hyundai Motor said Thursday that it has set up a dedicated unit to handle its high performance “N division,” which recently unveiled a hot hatch based in the i30 small family car and Veloster coupe.

Korea’s No. 1 carmaker said it recruited Thomas Schemera, the marketing director of BMW’s vaunted M division in the American market, as vice president in charge of its performance-oriented cars unit.

The new office is in charge of all operations related to Hyundai’s performance cars and motor sports activities.

Hyundai said Schemera has 30 years experience at BMW and will bring innovation and a higher level of expertise to its N division that is just starting to produce vehicles.

The carmaker aims make a name for itself in the sports oriented passenger car market with the i30 N and the Veloster N models.

The carmaker said it will generally bolster its motor sports credentials to generate public interest in its vehicles.

Yonhap