US – As president of Hyundai America Technical Center (HATCI), William Freels will be responsible for leading engineering groups that will develop global platforms for both North and South American markets. Educated in Texas and already based in Michigan, Freels becomes the first local executive to assume the HATCI presidency.
Freels joined HATCI in 2005 and most recently served as director of the Vehicle Evaluation Group, with areas of responsibility such as crashworthiness development support and advanced technology research. Freels also helped to establish Hyundai’s proving grounds at California City, overseeing all aspects of the facility and continuing construction projects.
HATCI was established in 1986 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is one of ten R&D centres operated by Hyundai Group Motor (HMG). HATCI is HMG’s design, technology and engineering headquarters for North America, supporting new model development, global programmes, and safety and emissions regulations.