Hyundai Appoints Brad Arnold to Chief Designer in North America

Irvine, California - Hyundai Design North America (HDNA), is Hyundai Motor Company's specialized design studio, has announced the appointment of Bradley J. Arnold as Chief Designer and Head of Hyundai Design North America (HDNA), based in Irvine, California. In his new role, Arnold will lead the design of future production vehicles and concept models for the North American market, supporting Hyundai’s continued focus on customer-centric innovation and design-driven growth.

Mr. Luc Donckerwolke, executive vice president and chief creative officer of Hyundai Motor Group. said “Design is the clearest expression of our ambition as a brand, Brad brings clarity, courage, and a strong connection to North American customers. His leadership will be instrumental as Hyundai Design North America shapes vehicles that are both emotionally engaging and globally relevant.”

SangYup Lee, executive vice president and head of Hyundai and Genesis Global Design. said “With more than 18 years of experience working with highly respected global automotive brands, Brad brings an exceptional level of creative leadership and vision, We are excited to have him lead Hyundai Design North America and build on the strong momentum of our vehicle design direction.”

In 2025, Arnold served as interim head of design at Hyundai Design North America, overseeing the development of all production and concept vehicles. He also played a pivotal role in advancing Hyundai’s global XRT off-road strategy through the California Design Studio’s new creative space, “The Sandbox,” which now serves as the global design center for future XRT models. Under his leadership, the studio developed the next wave of XRT vehicles, including the 2026 Palisade XRT PRO, the CRATER Concept, and several upcoming production models.

Since 2021, Arnold has led the exterior design team at Hyundai’s California studio, contributing to projects such as the 2023 Hyundai Palisade facelift and the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. Earlier in his career, he was also involved in the design leadership of the Genesis GV80 Concept, which debuted at the 2017 New York Auto Show.

Arnold first worked with Hyundai from 2008 to 2011 before returning in 2016. Across his tenure, he contributed to the refreshed exterior design of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe and the interior of the Hyundai Curb Concept. Between his periods at Hyundai, he spent five years at General Motors Design in California, where he worked on notable projects including the Cadillac Elmiraj Concept, Chevrolet Tru 140S, and the PEV2 and PEV3 mobility concepts.

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