Kia’s visionary President and CEO, Ho Sung Song, has been awarded Autocar’s most esteemed honour — the Issigonis Trophy — at the 2025 Autocar Awards, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential figures in the global mobility space. The award celebrates Mr Song’s exceptional leadership, strategic foresight, and unwavering commitment to innovation, which have collectively positioned Kia at the vanguard of electrification and sustainable mobility.
Named after the legendary British automotive designer Sir Alec Issigonis — creator of the original Mini — the Trophy recognises those who have reshaped the global automotive industry through innovation, impact and progress. Under Mr Song’s stewardship, Kia has done just that.
A Transformative Leader with a Bold Vision
Since assuming the presidency in 2020, Ho Sung Song has charted a bold new course for Kia, steering the brand through one of the most dynamic periods in its history. With the launch of the ‘Plan S’ strategy — a comprehensive roadmap to position Kia as a global leader in electrification, mobility services, and sustainability — Song has driven the company’s transformation with purpose and precision.
“We’re delighted to present Ho Sung Song with the Issigonis Trophy,” said Autocar Editor Mark Tisshaw. “He has championed great design and improved branding and confronted the challenge of electrification by making ever better and ever more desirable cars that are among the industry’s very best.”
Accepting the award, President Song paid tribute to the collective efforts of Kia’s global team.
“It is a great honour to receive this year’s Issigonis Trophy. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Autocar team for this recognition — not just of me, but of the incredible Kia team worldwide, whose dedication and belief in our mission continue to drive the brand forward.”
He continued,
“Our commitment remains clear: to design with intention, to lead with responsibility, and to continue delivering experiences that inspire. We accept this honour with gratitude — and vow to keep pushing boundaries with purpose.”
Electrifying Success with the EV Lineup
Central to Kia’s renaissance under Song’s leadership is its acclaimed EV lineup — from the flagship EV9, which swept multiple global awards in 2024, to the trailblazing EV3, which has now been named ‘Best Electric Car’ at the 2025 Autocar Awards.
In an increasingly crowded EV market, the Kia EV3 has distinguished itself through a compelling blend of practicality, performance, and affordability. Boasting a remarkable 375-mile electric range, rapid charging capability, and a striking design inspired by the EV9, the compact EV3 delivers high-end electric innovation to a broader audience.
“The EV3 is the standout addition to the affordable electric car ranks in 2025,” said Tisshaw. “It not only extends the design appeal of the statement EV9 into the heart of the electric car market, but also brings with it compelling space and practicality, excellent EV drivability and a convincing electric range — all for an appealing price.”
Already lauded with the 2025 World Car of the Year and Red Dot’s ‘Best of the Best’ award, the EV3’s UK success story has been equally significant. It became the best-selling EV in the UK retail market in Q1, and was recently crowned the 2025 UK Car of the Year, echoing the triumph of its larger sibling.
Pioneering the Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) Era
Beyond the passenger car market, Song has also overseen the rollout of Kia’s Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) strategy — a groundbreaking commercial mobility initiative. Unveiled at CES 2024, the PBV concept represents Kia’s vision to deliver versatile, purpose-built electric vehicles tailored to evolving business needs. The first dedicated model, the PV5, is set for launch this year, with Kia aiming to sell 250,000 PBVs globally by 2030.
This milestone is supported by the construction of a dedicated PBV manufacturing plant in Korea, reinforcing Kia’s commitment to redefining what electric mobility can look like across both private and commercial sectors.
Legacy of Leadership
Before assuming his current role, Ho Sung Song held key leadership positions across Kia’s global operations, including President of Kia Motors Europe, Head of Global Operations, and Head of Export Planning. His extensive experience across markets and disciplines has been instrumental in Kia’s evolution — not only as a carmaker, but as a progressive technology and mobility brand.
Looking Ahead
Closing the evening, President Song reflected on the EV3’s award and Kia’s future trajectory:
“The Kia EV3 being named ‘Best Electric Car’ at the 2025 Autocar Awards — along with its growing list of accolades — underscores Kia’s commitment to innovation. With our PBV strategy now underway, and a model lineup soon to span from the highly anticipated EV2 all the way up to the premium EV9, we’re well positioned to lead the global shift to electrification.”
With bold leadership, a clear mission, and products that continue to resonate across markets, Kia — under the visionary eye of Ho Sung Song — is not only navigating the future of mobility, but actively shaping it.
