`Getting to the Top 5 by Year 2010`

`Mister Daimler`

That`s what they call the new president of Hyundai Automobile, Kim Dong Jin (51, Photo). Kim got the nickname because the strategic joint cooperation between Hyundai and DaimlerChrysler has his name all over it.

He`s got most of the major Daimler executives tied around his finger through the joint enterprise.

If the former president Lee Kae Ahn, who became the chairman of Hyundai Capital, focused on solidifying Hyundai Auto’s principal capacity, the new Sergeant-type president Kim is expected to place his bets on corporate expansion. Hyundai Auto chairman Chung Mong Gu posed the challenge to Kim – take this partnership with DaimlerChrysler, who owns a sizeable part of the world market, to produce a `masterpiece`.

Recently, Chung also threw this homework to the management ~ `Get into the top 5 (Hyundai and Kia combined) of world auto makers by 2010`.

Chung was a `tank expert` before entering the auto world. He first came on the scene as an engineer (after graduating from Seoul National University in electrical engineering and getting his PhD in engineering from Fin Ray America), heading the first national Korean tank production of the 88 Tank (K1).

Although he usually maintains a calm composure, he can display a fiery energy when needed. Originally from Southern Kyongsang province, Chinju city, Chung uses his spare time to write columns for daily newspapers on economic developments and is currently reading the book `Chung Chu Young’s Entrepreneurial Spirit`.

daviskim@donga.com