From what I see-/ hear around me he can take a lot of credit for
this, even if he did not swing the pencil for a particular design,
but he directed the change and gave kia the successful new
direction.
They implemented a heavyweight design and research facility
near Russelsheim (where Opel is located) and contracted a lot
of local Ex GM and Ex Ford talent.
Hey, they even recruited some of my former classmates as
class A-modelers, no wonder the cars turned out that good! 
mo-i