Cumulative sales hit 5,000 units — average 147 a year

'More precious than 5,000 cars are the 5,000 connections'

Kim Gyeong-bo, sales manager at Hyundai Motor's Jeju Beonnyeongno branch, poses for a photo in front of the Ioniq 9. [Hyundai Motor]
Kim Gyeong-bo, sales manager at Hyundai Motor's Jeju Beonnyeongno branch, poses for a photo in front of the Ioniq 9. [Hyundai Motor]

Jeju has its first Hyundai Motor "grand master" of sales. Hyundai Motor announced Thursday that Kim Gyeong-bo, sales manager at its Jeju Beonnyeongno branch, has reached the top tier of the company's honorary sales program after selling a cumulative 5,000 vehicles.

Kim joined the company in 1993 and has averaged 147 vehicles sold per year over roughly 34 years. He previously hit the 3,000-unit milestone in 2013 and the 4,000-unit mark in 2018.

He has also been named to the company's national top-10 sales ranking — which recognizes the 10 best-performing salespeople nationwide by annual volume — three times, in 2009, 2010 and 2012.

Reflecting on the achievement, Kim said the number 5,000 represents "a precious result built from countless meetings, cherished connections, sweat and effort that no single figure can contain." He added that "more precious than the 5,000 cars are the 5,000 connections and the trust that came with them."

He said his approach has been to meet customers not with the mindset of selling a car, but of offering sincerity, care and passion. "Ultimately, it wasn't cars I was selling — it was people's trust that I was earning. That has been my secret," he said.

Hyundai Motor operates an honorary sales recognition program that awards titles and prizes at four cumulative milestones: "sales artisan" at 2,000 units, "sales master" at 3,000 units, "sales virtuoso" at 4,000 units, and "grand master of sales" at 5,000 units.

The company also runs a "national sales champion" award and the "The Class Awards" to recognize and encourage top-performing frontline sales staff each year, honoring their dedication and fostering a sense of pride and distinction.


eyre@heraldcorp.com