Hyundai Motor Group design boss Luc Donckerwolke – the man responsible for introducing a new era of electric car design through models such as the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6 – has been named 2022 World Car Person of the Year. A judging panel comprising 102 journalists from 33 countries chose the Belgian for his outstanding contribution to car design.  

Donckerwolke, who holds the title of Executive Vice President for Design and Chief Creative Officer for the Hyundai Motor Group, has been instrumental in creating a new design direction for electric cars. In addition to the IONIQ 5, RV6 and Genesis GV60, Donckerwolke has also been responsible for the brand’s restomod Pony and Grandeur –models that paid homage to the great and often neglected automotive heritage of Korea.

A former Head of Design at Lamborghini and Director of Design at Bentley, Donckerwolke has in impressive CV of models that includes the Lamborghini Murcielago and Gallardo, along with the EXP 10 speed 6 hybrid concept car.

Receiving the award, Donckerwolke said, “I am deeply honoured to receive the Person of the Year award and would like to thank all of the jury members and the valued team at Hyundai Motor Group, without whom this would not have been possible.

“I’ve always said, ‘I do design work for free, I only get paid for the meetings’. And while there are indeed many meetings, it’s always easier to accomplish a task when you’re working your dream job surrounded by dedicated team members. Thank you again for this fantastic honour.”

The 2022 World Car of the year will be announced on 13 April 2022. 

Kia EV6 was designed and developed under award-winning design boss Luc Donckerwolke