Hyundai Motor replaces head of China unit

Hyundai Motor has replaced the head of its operations in the Chinese mainland, media reports said on Saturday, as it struggles to regain a foothold in the world’s biggest auto market amid a diplomatic spat between the Asian trading partners.

Tao Hung Than has been named the new head of Hyundai’s China division replacing Chang Won-shin and will take up the post on Monday, Korea’s Yonhap news agency and other local media outlets reported, citing the company.

Hyundai Motor officials reached by telephone could not immediately confirm the reports.

Tao, who is of Chinese descent, has been instrumental in Hyundai’s entry to the Chinese market, Yonhap said.

Hyundai recently suspended production in China stemming from a supply disruption, adding to investor concerns about the carmaker’s progress in China.

It posted its smallest quarterly profit in five years for the quarter ended in June 2017.

The South Korean company reported a 65 percent drop in sales in China, its largest market, to 105,000 vehicles in the second quarter, according to the company’s financial statement released in July.

South Korean companies are weathering a Chinese backlash over the country’s decision to deploy the THAAD US missile defense system to counter threats from nuclear-armed North Korea.

China has said that the system poses a threat to its national security.