By Kim Yoo-chul
A former SsangYong Motor executive was appointed chief of the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association (KAIDA), the association said.
In a statement, KAIDA said it has appointed Daniel Rim, ex-executive managing director of SsangYong Motor, as its vice chairman. He will serve a two-year term starting May 2020.
KAIDA Vice Chairman Daniel Rim
“I feel a heavy responsibility to be appointed as vice chairman of KAIDA,” Rim said in the press release. “With the chairman and board of directors, I will lead the association to ensure member companies' voices are harmonized with related organizations and offer automotive consumers access to exciting and wider choices.”
Rim, who completed his undergraduate program with a major in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan, earned MBA from Wayne State University located in the same state. He started his career with General Motors as an engineer back in 1986 and extended his experience in Ford Motor, Visteon, Parker Hannifin and Doosan Infracore, in addition to SsangYong.
“Given Rim's rich experience and proven track record in the automotive and heavy industries in global market with expertise in engineering, business development, sales and marketing, he is regarded as the right person to take responsibility for the major tasks inside and outside the association,” the statement said.
KAIDA is organized by 22 imported car companies specifically with 17 passenger car brands and five commercial vehicle brands. KAIDA has solved common interests and problems regarding car importation by participating in government policy legislation and regulation revision activities and aggregating statistical resources.
“For getting closer to imported car customers in Korea, KAIDA has protected customer convenience and executed various events and PR activities,” according to the statement.