Hyundai North America to Promote Jason Erb to New Legal Chief

Hyundai Motor America’s assistant general counsel Jason Erb is set to be named chief legal officer on Sept. 20, the car manufacturer announced.

Erb has worked for Hyundai America, a subsidiary of South Korean car company Hyundai Motor Group, for nearly two decades, according to a Friday statement. He succeeds W. Gerald Flannery, who retired in March after 34 years with the Fountain Valley, Calif.-based company.

“Jason is a consummate professional and has vast expertise in our business and legal affairs,” said Hyundai North America president and CEO José Muñoz in the statement. “This expertise will be critical as we navigate the introduction of new mobility products and services and ensure the protection of our business, partners and customers.”

In early September, Hyundai announced plans to roll out hydrogen-based fuel cells for cars and trucks by 2040 as part of its goal to become carbon neutral by 2045. Hyundai was also one of many car manufacturers that had to recall 82,000 electric vehicles this year due to faulty batteries produced by South Korean company LG Energy Solutions.

Hyundai reported a 47% increase in global sales in its second quarter from April to June compared to the same period in 2020, citing recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. Sales ticked down in August, however, which the company said was a result of the global semiconductor chip shortage and the rise of the Delta Covid-19 variant.

“Hyundai Motor expects that sales could be slowed down for the rest of this year amid adverse business conditions caused by the same issues,” the company said in an August sales report.

Before joining Hyundai in 2002 as senior counsel, Erb worked in private practice for Pillsbury Madison & Sutro in Los Angeles. Erb and Hyundai Motor America did not immediately respond to requests for comment.