Dr. SungHo Kim

Executive Advisor

Dr. Sung Ho Kim is a seasoned innovation-driven executive with over 35 years of leadership experience across the global automotive and technology sectors. He brings a strong track record of delivering operational excellence and driving commercial growth, with P&L responsibility over both global corporations and high-tech startups. His expertise spans advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), electrification, and automotive Tier 1 supplier engagement. Prior to his involvement with Illium, Dr. Kim was President of AEye Korea, a long-range LiDAR startup, where he led market expansion efforts in Korea with a strategic focus on Hyundai-Kia and Mobis as well as diversifying footprint into maritime, security, military, and industrial segments, whilemanaging complex cross-border collaborations. Prior to that, from 2006 to 2021, Dr. Kim held multiple senior leadership roles at Valeo Group, a global Tier 1 supplier with $22 billion worldwide revenue. As President of Valeo Korea and Group Hyundai-Kia Customer Director for 10 years, he managed a $2 billion P&L, oversaw five manufacturing plants and four R&D centers, and led a 4,000 person organization. Under his leadership, Valeo Korea achieved consistent double-digit revenue growth, expanded new business, and significantly improved operating margins. He also played a key role in the Valeo-Kapec global M&A deal. His earlier career includes leadership roles at IEE Sensing, Varian Semiconductor (now, Applied Materials), NorthPole (a Warburg Pincus portfolio company), and Samsung Motors (now Renault Motors), where he managed engineering, R&D, and manufacturing operations. He began his career as a senior research engineer at Korea’s Agency for Defense Development, working on national defense R&D initiatives. Dr. Kim earned his Ph.D. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University and his B.S. from Yonsei University. He has completed executive programs at INSEAD.