2011 ALL-STAR: CEO, ASIA

CHUNG MONG-KOO, Chairman, Hyundai Motor Group

Through sheer force of will, Chung, 73, has transformed Hyundai and Kia from scoffed-at also-ran brands into global powerhouses that have rivals -- both Japanese and American -- on the ropes. What's more, Chung did it through painstaking attention to quality, technology and design, not by simply chasing raw volume.

Through sheer force of will, Chung, 73, has transformed Hyundai and Kia from scoffed-at also-ran brands into global powerhouses that have rivals -- both Japanese and American -- on the ropes. What's more, Chung did it through painstaking attention to quality, technology and design, not by simply chasing raw volume. The Hyundai Equus has pushed the brand into luxury sedan territory, while top quality marks for mass-market nameplates such as the Hyundai Sonata awarded it with top-tier customer loyalty.


2011 ALL-STAR: U.S. EXECUTIVE, ASIAN AUTOMAKER
AHN BYUNG-MO, CEO, Kia Motors America

Back in 2008, Kia dealers were seething over sliding sales and bloated inventories, and when Ahn was named head of both Kia Motors America and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, it was the seventh CEO change in less than a decade. But things have improved dramatically.

Back in 2008, Kia dealers were seething over sliding sales and bloated inventories, and when Ahn was named head of both Kia Motors America and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, it was the seventh CEO change in less than a decade. But things have improved dramatically while Ahn, 61, has run the company's sales and marketing and manufacturing arms in this country-- the first executive to hold both responsibilities at Kia. On the marketing side, he has allowed sales boss Tom Loveless and marketing chief Michael Sprague to strut their stuff. Market share climbed from 2.1 percent in 2008 to 3.8 percent through the first 10 months of this year. Sales are up 35 percent so far in 2011, and the brand has created some funky, attention-getting ads, such as those hip-hop hamsters spots.

2011 ALL-STAR: PUBLIC RELATIONS
CHRIS HOSFORD, Executive director of corporate communications, Hyundai Motor America

Hosford, 64, has used a media strategy that blends promoting strengths while taking calculated risks that are deftly crafted. For example, Hyundai broke industry tradition last year when it began voluntarily reporting monthly fleet sales.

Hosford, 64, has used a media strategy that blends promoting strengths while taking calculated risks that are deftly crafted. For example, Hyundai broke industry tradition last year when it began voluntarily reporting monthly fleet sales. The company also reports its sales-weighted corporate average fuel economy scores every month. Hosford also lets his team have a little fun with Hyundai's competitors. The brand's "Save the Asterisk" talking point ribbed General Motors and Ford Motor Co. for selling only 40 mpg compact cars with low-volume, high fuel economy trim packages that require asterisks in advertising. Hyundai's Elantra is rated at 40 mpg on the highway, regardless of equipment -- hence no asterisks.

PETER SCHREYER, Chief design officer, Kia Motors Corp.

Schreyer, 58, has swiftly transformed Kia from a brand devoid of style into one that's becoming synonymous with high design for the masses. Vehicles designed under his watch -- the Sportage, Optima and new Rio -- have racked up design awards.

Perhaps more significantly, Schreyer and his team have penned designs that make it possible for a customer to buy a car for less than $20,000 that will really turns heads. And judging by the Kia GT concept car revealed at the Frankfurt auto show, Kia's design looks bright with Schreyer at the helm.

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