포르쉐의 한국법인 설립을 앞두고 수입차업계 전체가 취업 전쟁으로 들썩이고 있다.
수입차 시장의 브랜드들의 빈익빈부익부 현상이 가중되고 있는 너나 할 것 없이 초절정 럭셔리 자동차의 대표 브랜드 포르쉐에 문을 두드리고 있는 양상이다.
초대사장으로 내정된 김근탁 전 한국GM사장은 역시 치열한 경쟁을 거쳤고 현재 새 조직 구성에 박차를 가하고 있는 것으로 알려졌다.
일반적으로 수입차는 새로운 법인이 설립되면 기존의 수입사 인원이 다수 이동해가는 것이 관례이지만 이번에는 대부분의 직원들이 외부에서 충원될 것이라는 것이 관계자들의 설명이다.
김사장은 직원들의 외국어와 국제적인 감각을 중요시하는데 그런 점에서 그의 친정인 한국GM의 관계자들을 우선 눈 여겨 보고 있다고 한다.
하지만 법인이 보다 신속하게 자리를 잡기 위해서는 현 수입사인 스투트가르트스포츠카의 인원을 완전히 배제하기는 힘들 것이라는 관측도 있다.
한편 스투트가르트스포츠카는 인원이동을 비롯해 포르쉐의 한국법인 설립 자체에 대한 언급을 자제하고 있다.
포르쉐는 올해 상반기 국내에서 1,005대의 차량을 판매했는데 작년에 비해 41.9%의 성장이다.
(코리아헤럴드 이지윤기자)
<관련 영문 기사>
Competition ‘red-hot’ for Porsche jobs
Competition to grab a job at the Korean unit of Porsche appears to be reaching fever-pitch.
Kim Geun-tak, who is to lead Porsche Korea when it opens later this year, is currently recruiting staff to create a solid base to start from, according to industry sources.
“Except for those who are working for one of the German big three brands (BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi), the jobs seem to be quite attractive,” said one source, requesting anonymity.
It is common for import carmakers to rehire most of the staff at their existing importer -- in this case Stuttgart Sports Cars -- when they establish a Korean branch.
But the incoming chief executive Kim allegedly wants to pick his own people, particularly those with a GM background due to his own past ties to the automaker; Kim was previously CEO of GM Korea.
“GM people are known to be a smart pack of people, with the right language skills and a global mindset. However, there is some concern that they might not be right for Porsche as the GM brand is not exactly No. 1, meaning they aren’t used to being at the top of their game,” said another source.
Others said Kim would most likely need the support of the existing staff at Stuttgart Sports Cars, especially those in leadership positions, for a soft-landing of the newly created entity.
The importer has yet to make any official comments on the planned establishment of Porsche Korea, including possible staff movement.
“We are clueless right now as to what will happen, and are frankly not in a position to comment,” said one Stuttgart Sports Cars employee, indicating the company had advised employees to remain low key on personnel issues.
The rumors surrounding the new Korean unit appeared to reflect the sports car brand’s growing presence here.
Porsche sold 1,005 vehicles in the first half of this year, about a 41.9 percent jump from the same period last year, according to Stuttgart Sports Cars, which has been importing the sports cars since 2005.
By Lee Ji-yoon
(jylee@heraldcorp.com)
Competition ‘red-hot’ for Porsche jobs
Competition to grab a job at the Korean unit of Porsche appears to be reaching fever-pitch.
Kim Geun-tak, who is to lead Porsche Korea when it opens later this year, is currently recruiting staff to create a solid base to start from, according to industry sources.
“Except for those who are working for one of the German big three brands (BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi), the jobs seem to be quite attractive,” said one source, requesting anonymity.
It is common for import carmakers to rehire most of the staff at their existing importer -- in this case Stuttgart Sports Cars -- when they establish a Korean branch.
But the incoming chief executive Kim allegedly wants to pick his own people, particularly those with a GM background due to his own past ties to the automaker; Kim was previously CEO of GM Korea.
“GM people are known to be a smart pack of people, with the right language skills and a global mindset. However, there is some concern that they might not be right for Porsche as the GM brand is not exactly No. 1, meaning they aren’t used to being at the top of their game,” said another source.
Others said Kim would most likely need the support of the existing staff at Stuttgart Sports Cars, especially those in leadership positions, for a soft-landing of the newly created entity.
The importer has yet to make any official comments on the planned establishment of Porsche Korea, including possible staff movement.
“We are clueless right now as to what will happen, and are frankly not in a position to comment,” said one Stuttgart Sports Cars employee, indicating the company had advised employees to remain low key on personnel issues.
The rumors surrounding the new Korean unit appeared to reflect the sports car brand’s growing presence here.
Porsche sold 1,005 vehicles in the first half of this year, about a 41.9 percent jump from the same period last year, according to Stuttgart Sports Cars, which has been importing the sports cars since 2005.
By Lee Ji-yoon
(jylee@heraldcorp.com)