Hyundai accelerates WRC preparations with Team Principal appointment

Hyundai Motor Co. has bolstered its nascent World Rally Championship (WRC) programme with the appointment of WRC veteran Michel Nandan as Team Principal. The Frenchman, who has held key technical positions on the world rally stage since the
mid-1990s, joins Hyundai at an exciting time in the manufacturer's WRC programme.

"Hyundai is excited to re-enter WRC, and we're back not just to compete, but to win," said Tak Uk Im, Executive Vice-President & COO of Hyundai Motor. "Hyundai and WRC form a perfect match, and our racing experience will translate directly into performance and handling improvements in our road-going vehicles."

"I am honoured to have been chosen by Hyundai to spearhead its exciting new entry into the WRC. The project is still in its infancy, but things are moving rapidly, and I am looking forward to developing the team as this year progresses. There is much to be done, of that we are fully aware, but with a dedicated facility in Alzenau and an ambitious core of highly motivated personnel, we are already making good progress," said Nandan.

"We are deliberately using an interim version of the i20 to carry out important component testing and to ensure that we have done our homework before we enter competition. This phase will continue throughout 2013 as we prepare for our first full season back in WRC in 2014. There are a lot of other decisions that we will have to make during the course of the year, particularly regarding the selection of drivers, but this also requires time and due diligence. We will, at the same time, keep a close eye on how the 2013 WRC season unfolds," he further added.

Posted in: Alzenau,Hyundai,International,Michel Nandan,Motor Sports,New Appointment,Tak Uk Im,Team Principal,World Rally Championship,WRC