Hyundai Motor Group has named Kim Hae-jin, president of the powertrain division, its new research and development chief in its latest personnel reshuffle announced on Friday.

The top R&D position has been replaced twice over the past year since the Korean auto giant’s admission of overstating the fuel ratings of its cars sold in the United States in November last year.

Hyundai fired Kim’s predecessor Kwon Moon-sik earlier last month after a series of product quality issues, including a large-scale recall in both Korea and the U.S.

Reflecting the group’s strong will for greater quality, almost half of the executives who received promotions Friday were those involved in R&D activities.

Of the total 419 executives promoted, R&D executives made up 43.4 percent, while those at top positions in marketing and sales accounted for 26.7 percent.

“The reshuffle is aimed at renewing our quality first policy while strengthening our global brand awareness,” said a Hyundai spokesperson.

But female executives were still almost invisible in the large-scale reshuffle, with only two women being promoted at the group’s financial arms, Hyundai Card and Hyundai Life.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)