Korea to certify safety of EV battery from October

The South Korean government said Friday it will certify the safety of electric vehicle batteries beginning October, four months ahead of the initial plan, as it rolled out various measures to prevent EV fires. According to the government’s EV fire safety management measures, both domestic and imported auto brands will be subject to the authorities’ EV battery certification requirement. The government will disclose the information of the battery cell manufacturer, battery type and key

Sept. 6, 2024

[KH Explains] Is Hyundai’s bet on extended-range EVs a future-proof strategy?

In the race toward electrification, the auto industry has seen a dizzying array of electric vehicle types, from battery electric vehicles to hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and fuel-cell electric vehicles. Now, Hyundai Motor is adding another contender to the crowded mix -- extended-range electric vehicles, or EREVs. Announced on Aug. 28 during the company's CEO Investor Day, Hyundai plans to introduce these new vehicles to the North American and Chinese markets by 2027. What exactly are EREVs?

Sept. 5, 2024

[Photo News] Supporting Korea-US-Japan dialogue

Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun (center) speaks during the second Trilateral Executive Dialogue, or TED, a leadership seminar between South Korea, the United States and Japan, held at Grand Hyatt Seoul on Wednesday. Hyundai Motor Group sponsored this year's TED, which gathered some 100 key figures from the three countries’ governments, assemblies and corporations to discuss strategic trade and investment, biotechnology security, energy cooperation, and the role of tec

Sept. 4, 2024

BMW’s Korean expansion driven by local sourcing, innovation

BMW Group emphasized Tuesday it has been actively involved in South Korea for the past three decades, focusing on sourcing parts from local companies, investing in infrastructure and contributing to corporate social responsibility initiatives. The company’s activities in the region reflect its commitment to maintaining and expanding its presence in the Korean market, the group said. In 2023, BMW Group purchased parts worth 6.53 trillion won ($4.86 billion) from Korean companies. This fig

Sept. 3, 2024

Hyundai Motor to sponsor Korea-US-Japan leadership forum

Hyundai Motor Group announced Tuesday that it will sponsor the second Trilateral Executive Dialogue, or TED, a leadership seminar between South Korea, the United States and Japan, set to take place at Grand Hyatt Seoul on Wednesday. TED, which held its first gathering in San Francisco last year, aims to explore opportunities for democracy and shared prosperity through in-depth discussions on expanding the trilateral ties’ comprehensive mutual benefits such as economic development and natio

Sept. 3, 2024

Hansung Motors appoints new CEO

Hansung Motors, one of the top official Mercedes-Benz dealers in South Korea, has appointed Marco Kim as its new CEO, the company announced Monday. Marco Kim brings extensive global expertise in the luxury automotive sector, having held key leadership and consulting roles with several prestigious car brands. Born in South Korea and raised in Australia, Kim holds a medical degree and an MBA from the University of Queensland. He later became a chartered accountant and joined Deloitte Motor Industr

Sept. 2, 2024

[Photo News] Kia EV center in Ecuador

Kia inaugurated the Kia E-Ground in Quito, Ecuador, on Monday to boost its position as a leading electric vehicle brand in Latin America. The 1,420-square-meter center features three thematic zones -- Planet, Energy and Mobility -- where visitors can explore Kia’s sustainability initiatives, cutting-edge EV technology and future mobility solutions. Highlights include an ocean cleanup virtual reality game, an EV driving simulator and displays of Kia's E-GMP platform. As Ecuador ranks

Sept. 2, 2024

[Test Drive] Chevy’s new Colorado offers smooth ride as all-around truck

The all-new Colorado, the latest generation of the Chevrolet’s pickup truck, has returned as a well-rounded off-roader featuring an impressive powertrain and unexpectedly comfortable driving experience. The Korea Herald checked out the newly launched American pickup in a recent test drive including both on- and off-road courses in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. Measuring 5,410 millimeters in length, 1,905 mm in width and 1,810 mm in height with a wheelbase of 3,337 mm, the new Colorado looke

Sept. 2, 2024

[KH Explains] Will battery brand awareness influence EV shoppers in Korea amid safety concerns?

Starfield Hanam, a shopping complex located in Gyeonggi Province just east of Seoul, is home to South Korea’s first Tesla showroom, which opened its doors in 2017. Here, the allure of Tesla vehicles has always drawn a crowd, but recently, a different kind of interest has been brewing among potential buyers -- an interest not just in the cars themselves, but in the batteries that power them. Recent high-profile EV fires in Korea have sparked public concern about the reliability of the batte

Sept. 1, 2024

Exports of Hyundai, Kia hybrid vehicles jump 35.2%

Exports of hybrid cars by Hyundai Motor Co. and its affiliate Kia Corp. jumped 35.2 percent on-year in the first seven months of this year, industry data showed Sunday. Hyundai Motor and Kia exported a total of 222,818 hybrid vehicles between January and July, compared with 164,851 units for the same period last year, according to data from the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association. Hyundai Motor, in particular, saw its exports of hybrid vehicles soar 58.3 percent on-year to 141,032 units.

Sept. 1, 2024

Hankook Tire makes cultural push to connect with younger customers

Hankook Tire has launched a series of cultural projects to connect with younger consumers and communicate the brand's value in a fresh way. This summer, the tire maker launched a 10-day pop-up event at Surfyy Beach in Yangyang, Gangwon Province, where visitors enjoyed tire-themed attractions like water activities with inflatable tubes as well as interactive photo zones and game areas. Hankook Tire also collaborated with brands like Pro-Specs to create unique products, including sneakers in

Aug. 30, 2024

Mercedes-Benz Korea to lend free E-Class sedans for Incheon fire victims

Mercedes-Benz Korea will loan new E-Class sedans free of charge to residents of the apartment complex in Cheongna, Incheon, who lost their vehicles in an electric vehicle fire on Aug. 1. The fire, which occurred in the underground parking lot of the complex, destroyed approximately 70 vehicles. Mercedes-Benz Korea communicated details of the support program through the management office of the Cheongna apartment complex on Thursday. The company will provide one vehicle per affected household, sp

Aug. 30, 2024

[Test Drive] Renault’s Grand Koleos delivers loaded tech at value-packed price

Renault Korea has been in a slump, with sales in Korea nosediving from nearly 100,000 units in 2020 to just 22,000 last year. Now, the company is pinning its hopes on the Grand Koleos, a new mid-size hybrid sport utility vehicle, to spark a comeback. With its debut marking Renault Korea’s most ambitious launch in four years, the big question is: Does the Grand Koleos have what it takes to turn things around? The Korea Herald reporter took it for a spin on a test drive in Busan last Tuesday

Aug. 30, 2024

'Hyundai Way': Auto giant's W121tr plan aims to seize mobility market lead

Hyundai Motor Company is making a bold move towards the future with an investment of 120.5 trillion won ($90.3 billion) over the next decade. This investment is designed to keep Hyundai agile as mass adoption of electric vehicles remains uncertain. Key initiatives include the introduction of advanced hybrid systems, an expanded range of hybrid vehicles, and a new category of vehicles -- extended range electric vehicles, or EREVs -- that combine the strengths of both internal combustion engines a

Aug. 28, 2024

Samsung SDI, GM push ahead with $3.5b joint battery plant in US

Samsung SDI and General Motors reaffirmed their commitment to the growth of the electric vehicle market despite the recent slowdown as they finalized the agreement to establish a joint battery plant in the United States on Tuesday. According to Samsung SDI, key representatives from the Korean battery maker and the US automaker attended the signing ceremony at Samsung SDI’s office in Seoul to complete the agreement. Samsung SDI and GM reached an initial agreement in April last year to form

Aug. 28, 2024

Hyundai-Kia climb to top credit ranks among global automakers

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia have just secured their place among the world’s most financially sound automakers. According to industry sources Monday, both companies received A ratings from the world’s three major credit rating agencies -- Moody's, S&P and Fitch. This positions Hyundai and Kia alongside just three other automakers -- Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Honda -- that have earned A ratings from all three major credit rating agencies. Credit ratings from these agencies i

Aug. 26, 2024

[Test Drive] Audi's A7 PHEV, an all-around beauty

The popularity of hybrid vehicles has been gaining steam in South Korea as the country is still in an early phase of adapting electric vehicles. Audi’s A7 55 TFSI e quattro Premium, an upgraded plug-in hybrid vehicle, offers an ideal choice for drivers seeking comfortable city driving on electricity and sporty maneuvering on highways. Measuring at a length of 4,975 millimeters, a wheelbase of 2,926 mm, a width of 1,910 mm and a height of 1,425 mm, the A7 PHEV looks longer, wider and lower

Aug. 25, 2024

Renault Grand Koleos boasts extensive safety features

Renault Korea’s Grand Koleos stands out as a mid-size hybrid sport utility vehicle with extensive safety features, including numerous advanced driving assistance systems and high-strength materials. This vehicle has gained attention in the Korean market since its June debut, particularly for its robust safety features, which have become increasingly important to consumers amidst rising concerns over road safety. The Grand Koleos comes in three trims: Techno, Iconic and Esprit Alpine. Even

Aug. 25, 2024

[Test Drive] Casper Electric: a small, yet full package

The Casper Electric, Hyundai Motor’s newest all-electric sub-compact sport utility vehicle, might look unassuming but it wins consumers' hearts with a big surprise inside. The Korea Herald got to check out the EV model of the Casper, known as the Inster in overseas markets, in a test drive in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province on Wednesday. The first impression of the EV was the distinguished adorableness featuring harmless-looking circular headlights with pixel-style eyebrows on the front s

Aug. 22, 2024

Porsche unveils K-edition Taycan in Seoul

Porsche Korea launched the new Taycan on Thursday, the brand’s upgraded all-electric sports sedan, as the German sports car-maker aims to keep building on the success of the EV here. “Since (the Taycan’s) launch in 2020, the demand for (our) first fully electric sports car has exceeded our expectations,” said Holger Gerrmann, CEO of Porsche Korea, during the launch ceremony at Grand Hyatt Seoul. “Last year, the Taycan accounted for a 16 percent share of sales as the

Aug. 22, 2024