Hyundai Motor America Seminar on Technology Innovations & The Future of Transportation: Big Data Analytics for Vehicle Quality Improvement

Hosted by the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering - Institute of Transportation Studies

(Refreshments 10 – 10:30 a.m.)

Abstract: In the automotive industry, one of the main metrics used to assess vehicle quality is the feedback provided by the owners and buyers of the various models. This feedback is captured through many channels, including structured data such as service, repair, warranty information and unstructured data coming from surveys, social media (blogs, forums), customer call centers and other sources. This panel presentation will describe some of the Big Data analysis techniques and tools used at Hyundai Motor America to understand customer perceptions related to vehicle quality and based on that, to drive continuous improvements in vehicle design, manufacturing, distribution and service.

Speakers:
Mircea Gradu joined Hyundai Motor America in May 2014 as director of engineering and auality. Gradu leads the development and implementation of product strategy to improve both the initial quality of Hyundai models and vehicle durability. He has more than 23 years of automotive experience, most recently serving as vice president and head of transmission powertrain and driveline engineering for Chrysler Group LLC. His distinguished career includes being the recipient of the 2008 Edward Cole Award for Automotive Innovation, the 2005 Forest McFarland Award and the SAE-Timken Howard Simpson Innovation Award from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). He holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the University of Stuttgart.

Zekai Akbay is senior manager of quality planning, data analysis and program management for Hyundai Motor America, and he has more than 25 years of automotive engineering experience. His experience includes the design and development of body, chassis and safety systems as well as advance vehicle engineering, including electric vehicles. He has worked for General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Daimler, Proterra and Dassault, and has served as an independent consultant to the automotive industry. He holds a doctorate in structural engineering from Wayne State University.

Tri Nguyen is manager, quality planning and analysis, Hyundai Motor America. He has more than 15 years of automotive experience spanning the parts and service environment to the global quality environment of today. He currently serves as the program manager, supporting all third-party quality survey vendors such as JD Power & Enprecis, understanding customer vehicle quality concerns/perceptions and using the survey quality data to launch customer care programs.

Alex Huang is assistant manager, quality planning and analysis, Hyundai Motor America. He has more than 11 years of automotive experience spanning the dealership environment to the distributor. He currently serves as the analytic lead, supporting many of the data-driven initiatives of the engineering and quality department.

ITS-Irvine is delighted to partner with Hyundai Motor America to present the 2015-16 Seminar Series on Technology Innovations and the Future of Transportation. Co-Sponsored by the University of California Center on Economic Competitiveness in Transportation.