10. Mong-Koo Chung
Company: Hyundai Motor
Country: South Korea
Title: Chairman and CEO
Age: 73
Chung's bold spending on quality initiatives and creative marketing during the auto industry's worst downturn paid off in big returns as Hyundai gained ground in North America. Profits surged 78% to $4.5 billion in 2010, on revenue of $31.8 billion, making Hyundai the fifth-largest car maker in the world by unit sales. This year the company made a splash with its groundbreaking three-door coupe, the Veloster. Chung also opened new plants for passenger cars in Brazil and in St. Petersburg, Russia, and is building a third plant in China, expanding Hyundai's market share in the world's largest auto market. Driving the company to be the globe's most fuel-efficient, Chung is also finding success where you wouldn't expect it: Europe.
--R.A.
NEXT: 11. Sunil Bharti Mittal
Last updated April 19 2011: 5:21 AM ET
