Recalls drive out Kia top executive

The top executive at Kia Motors has resigned after the company recalled more than 100,000 vehicles worldwide over defective wiring, the auto maker said Tuesday.

Chung Sung-eun, vice chairman and CEO of South Korea's No. 2 auto maker, stepped down last Friday, according to company spokesman Michael Choo.

"His resignation comes in the light of the recent global recall issued by Kia Motors," Choo said, without elaborating.

He said no successor has been named. Chung was one of two Kia CEOs.

Kia Motors Corp is an affiliate of South Korea's top auto maker Hyundai Motor Co. Together they form the world's fifth-largest automotive group.

Chung's resignation comes amid a wave of recalls that have shaken the global auto industry since Japan's Toyota Motor Corp began calling in vehicles in October last year. The world's top auto maker has recalled more than 10 million vehicles for problems including faulty gas pedals and floor mats.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported that Hyundai Motor Chairman Chung Mong-koo asked Chung to step down to take responsibility for the recalls.