Hyundai Motor America’s Lauren Munakata Named an Automotive News Rising Star for 2026

August 18, 2026 by Hyundai
Hyundai Motor America today announced that Lauren Munakata, director of dealer network development strategy and operations, has been named a 2026 Automotive News Rising Star, an honor recognizing emerging leaders who are helping shape the future of the automotive industry. Munakata and fellow honorees are featured in a special edition of Automotive News highlighting the industry’s top up-and-coming leaders.

‘Lauren’s recognition as an Automotive News Rising Star reflects the way she approaches every challenge at Hyundai,’ said Rob Grafton, senior vice president, head of global dealer network development, Hyundai Motor Company. ‘She’s built trust across our dealer network by being direct, responsive and committed to finding solutions. We’re proud to see her receive this recognition and look forward to the contributions she’ll continue to make to Hyundai and our dealers.’

The 2026 Automotive News Rising Stars program honors U.S.-based automotive executives under age 45 working across manufacturing, supply, and mobility. The annual program recognizes individuals with the talent, leadership, and accomplishments that position them to become the next generation of industry leaders.

Since joining Hyundai Motor America as an intern in 2012, Munakata has built a career spanning distribution, sales planning, district sales manager, field operations, national leadership, and dealer network strategy. In her current role, she leads strategies to strengthen Hyundai’s U.S. dealer network and prepare it for changing customer needs and market conditions.

‘It is an honor to be recognized among such a talented group of automotive leaders,’ said Munakata. ‘I’m grateful for the opportunities Hyundai has provided throughout my career and for the support of colleagues, mentors, and dealer partners who have contributed to our shared success. This recognition reflects the collaborative work of many people across the organization.’

Among her accomplishments, Munakata has helped guide dealer network strategies that balance national objectives with the needs of local markets. She has worked closely with teams across the organization to improve consistency in network planning and execution while supporting Hyundai’s continued growth.

Her experience across multiple areas of the business has given her a broad understanding of Hyundai’s operations and dealer network, enabling her to drive practical, sustainable improvements that support both dealers and customers.

The 2026 class of Automotive News Rising Stars emerged from a nomination and selection process. Complete profiles of all 18 Rising Stars are available at www.autonews.com/risingstars.