Hyundai Motor America named Derrick Hatami, sales chief of Nissan America, as vice president for domestic sales, replacing 26-year Hyundai veteran Bob Pradzinski, the company said Thursday.

Hyundai Motor America's new sales chief Derrick Hatami

Hatami had served as the general manager of Hyundai Motor America’ 12-state western region for three years before he moved to Nissan in 2012.

“We couldn‘t be happier to have Derrick rejoin us,” said David Zuchowski, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America.

“Derrick’s strategic outlook, vision, planning experience and commitment to dealers makes him a perfect fit to lead our sales operation.’’

Hatami started his career in the automotive industry working for global consultancy Accenture and J.D. Power & Associates. He graduated summa cum laude from Hawaii Pacific University and holds a masters of business administration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology‘s Sloan School of Management.

Meanwhile, sales of Hyundai Motor America increased 3 percent in August from the same period a year ago, selling 72,012 units, the company said.

By Seo Jee-yeon  (jyseo@heraldcorp.com)