At the 2025 Autocar Awards, Kia Corporation President and CEO Ho Sung Song received the distinguished Issigonis Trophy, Autocar’s highest accolade. Named after the iconic automotive engineer Sir Alec Issigonis, the trophy honors outstanding leadership, innovation, and business excellence within the automotive sector.

Mark Tisshaw, Editor of Autocar, praised Ho Sung Song’s transformative leadership, stating, “We’re hugely impressed by how Mr. Song has guided Kia through a period of remarkable growth and innovation. His commitment to exceptional design and electrification has positioned Kia among the industry’s most desirable brands.”

Accepting the award, Ho Sung Song expressed gratitude not only for the recognition but also for the dedication of Kia’s global team. “This honor reflects the incredible effort of everyone at Kia. Our mission remains to design with intention, lead responsibly, and continue creating inspiring experiences. We will keep pushing boundaries with purpose,” he said.

Since taking the helm in 2020, Ho Sung Song has spearheaded Kia’s ‘Plan S’ strategy, which focuses on electrification and sustainable mobility. Under his direction, Kia has launched a fresh brand identity alongside an award-winning lineup of electric and hybrid vehicles. The Kia EV9 earned the World Car of the Year title in 2024, while the compact and affordable Kia EV3 followed by winning both the 2025 World Car of the Year and UK Car of the Year awards.

Kia’s innovation extends beyond passenger vehicles with the introduction of its Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) strategy targeting commercial electric vehicles. The company debuted its PBV concepts at CES 2024 and is preparing to launch the all-electric PV5 commercial vehicle globally this year, with plans to sell 250,000 PBVs worldwide by 2030.

Before his presidency, Ho Sung Song held various senior roles including Head of Global Operations and President of Kia Motors Europe, bringing extensive industry expertise that has guided Kia through a pivotal transformation.

The Kia EV3 was also singled out as the ‘Best Electric Car’ at the awards. Mark Tisshaw highlighted its blend of impressive 375-mile range, rapid charging capabilities, and practical, attractive design at an accessible price point. Since its debut, the EV3 has garnered multiple international awards, including Red Dot’s ‘Best of the Best’, and has dominated the UK EV market as the best-selling electric vehicle in the first quarter of 2025.

Concluding the ceremony, Ho Sung Song reaffirmed Kia’s commitment to innovation and electrification: “With the EV3’s success and the expansion of our electric lineup—from the forthcoming EV2 to the premium EV9—we are poised to lead the global transition to sustainable mobility.”

Kia’s recent achievements under Ho Sung Song’s visionary leadership underscore the company’s rapidly growing influence in the evolving automotive landscape and its dedication to shaping a cleaner, smarter future for mobility.