SEOUL, South Korea—Nexen Tire is strengthening its global research and development competitiveness with the appointment of former Porsche tire development head Michael Haupt as its new R&D executive.
The company named Haupt as the head of premium original equipment division at its Nexen Central Research Institute in Seoul, which was inaugurated in April.
Haupt previously worked as head of business sector at Ford Motor, and since 1996, as the head of Porsche's chassis and tire development, Nexen said in a statement.
With the appointment, Nexen expects to increase its premium OE supply and to develop next-generation products for the rapidly changing automotive industry.
In addition, the company plans to advance its global R&D capabilities through "active communication and collaboration" with its research centers in Europe, the U.S. and China. The South Korean tire maker also aims to advance industry 4.0 through the recruitment of "global core talents."
Nexen has stepped up its research and development efforts in recent years. Last year, for instance, the company relocated its head office in Germany and its European technical center to a new building in Kelkheim, near Frankfurt last year.
In the U.S., Nexen expanded its technical presence with a $5 million investment in its Richfield facilities.