Hyundai Motor worker sets 5,000 vehicle sales milestone

Baek Jong-won, a sales director at Hyundai Motor, poses with the carmaker's hydrogen-powered NEXO SUV. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor

Baek Jong-won, a sales director at Hyundai Motor, earned the title of the automaker’s grand sales master by implementing a unique strategy focused on increasing taxi sales.

“More than 60 percent of my record came from taxi sales, which was the key driving force in winning the glory,” Baek said in a telephone interview, Wednesday.

As of the end of June, his total vehicle sales topped 5,000, averaging 160 cars annually since he began his career at the carmaker in 1993. Only 19 salespeople have won that title so far.

“Most of my customers are elderly taxi operators, so they often struggle with administrative and maintenance procedures after purchasing vehicles,” he said. “I take care of all the processes on behalf of them, even after selling vehicles.”

He said customers appreciated his attitude, so they kept introducing him to their family members or acquaintances when they buy new cars.

“I tried to treat my customers with a deep sense of sincerity,” he said. “This is nothing special, but never an easy thing to continue for decades. Most customers contacted me later when they buy new vehicles.”

Baek has also achieved diverse sales records.

He was named the carmaker’s top salesperson in 2017, 2021, and 2022. Additionally, he has been recognized as a top-class salesperson every year since 2008. The title is given to those who sell more than 120 vehicles each year.

“I am deeply honored to win the latest achievement,” he said. “This may sound cliché, but I will keep doing my best to set a new milestone.”

Hyundai Motor runs various sales award programs. Those who have sold over 2,000 vehicles become a sales master. The grand sales master title is the highest honor that the carmaker gives to top-level salespeople with accumulated sales of over 5,000 vehicles.