Korean regulations continue to hinder development of autonomous cars: report

South Korea needs to further remove regulations to support the development of domestic autonomous or self-driving vehicles, a private think tank here said Wednesday.In a report, the Korea Economic Research Institute claimed excessive or unnecessary regulations here created a major hurdle to local developers of self-driving cars, partly by adding to their costs.The report came amid government efforts to help develop and commercialize level 3 self-driving cars by 2020. A level 3 self-driving car r

Aug. 24, 2016

GM CEO Mary Barra due in Seoul next week

Mary Barra, the top executive officer of US automaker General Motors Co., will visit South Korea next week, a US business lobby in Seoul said Monday.The top executive of General Motors Co. is scheduled to offer a special speech at a meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce next Tuesday, according to AMCHAM.Officials at GM Korea, the South Korean unit of the US carmaker, confirmed her scheduled visit.They, however, did not provide any other details, only saying it will be part of her "regular"

Aug. 22, 2016

FCA boasts Jeep’s originality as SUV

The popularity of sports utility vehicles in South Korea is expected to continue with local and foreign carmakers trying to lure local drivers with exquisite designs, fuel efficiency and engine power. But there’s nothing more original than Jeep is, said Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Sunday, stressing its efforts in continuing the brand’s legendary heritage for 75 years.“Since the World War II, when the first Jeep was built, the brand has become one of the most successful SUV brands in the world, tha

Aug. 21, 2016

Infiniti bets on with new QX60 in Korea

Infiniti, the luxury division of Japanese automaker Nissan, is slated to unveil its new luxury crossover QX60 later this month in the South Korean auto market, the company’s official said. Already having been a great crossover vehicle, the new QX60 is to offer some upgrades. “We aim to attract Korean consumers with QX60’s unique design, advanced safety systems and a reasonable price this autumn,” the company‘s official said.  Infiniti QX60The company said its new QX60, a key model of Infiniti’s

Aug. 21, 2016

10-year wait for Korean firm’s Apple car battery: analysts

Amid reports that Apple is in talks with a small Korean firm to make batteries for a secretive car project, local experts said that it would take more than 10 years to be mass produced.A local news media recently reported that Apple is working with an unidentified Korean firm comprised of around 20 battery experts. The small Korean battery firm Orange Power is considered a strong candidate as it is the first and only Korean firm to have a patent on such technologies. An Apple store in Santa Moni

Aug. 21, 2016

Gov't orders recall of Chevrolet Orlando LPG for emission problems

South Korea's government on Sunday ordered GM Korea Co. to recall 15,056 Chevrolet Orlando compact multi-purpose vehicles for emission-related problems.The order affects Orlandos using the 2.0 liter engine that uses liquefied petroleum gas as fuel, the environment ministry said.The vehicles made from May 6, 2011 to Oct. 7, 2013 have been found to emit carbon monoxide beyond permissible levels. (Yonhap)The colorless and odorless gas can be toxic to people above a certain concentration in the atmo

Aug. 21, 2016

Tesla opens website for online reservations in Korea

Tesla Motors has begun taking online reservations in Korea for its electric cars, Model S, Model X, and Model 3, the company said Friday.With a deposit of 2 million won ($1,800) for the Model S, 5 million won for Model X and 1 million won for model 3, customers can make a reservation, it said in the first statement released for Korean press. (AFP-Yonhap)“Korean customers have already shown a great interest in Tesla through reservations for Model 3,” it said. The model 3 is a Tesla electric vehic

Aug. 19, 2016

Nearly 4,500 Jaguar, Land Rover cars to be recalled in Korea

Nearly 4,500 cars imported by Jaguar Land Rover Korea, the local importer of the luxury brand cars, will be recalled due to problems that include a possible fuel leak that could cause a fire, the transportation ministry said Friday.Due to a defect in the design of the engine cover in certain models of Land Rover cars, the engine cover may rub against the car's fuel hose, possibly causing a puncture in the hose, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.The recall affects 4,

Aug. 19, 2016

Foreign automakers face tougher authentication

The Korean government is relooking all documents submitted by foreign automakers, as there might be more carmakers like Audi and Volkswagen, which manipulated documents to move up release dates. The Environment Ministry said Thursday it requested the state-run National Institute of Environmental Research to review again all documents provided by 23 foreign brands including BMW and Mercedes-Benz. At a briefing session by the Environment Ministry last month, Volkswagen had reportedly said most of

Aug. 18, 2016

Hyundai, Kia cars take top best-selling car spots in Israel

Three vehicle models produced by South Korea's top automaker Hyundai Motor Co. and its affiliate Kia Motors Corp. took the top three spots in terms of best-selling cars in Israel in the first half of the year, also making their manufacturers the two most preferred brands in the Middle Eastern country, the companies said Thursday.In the January-June period, Kia's Morning compact car, sold as the Picanto in some countries, took the top spot as the best-selling car in Israel.It was followed by the

Aug. 18, 2016

Kumho Tire rides SUV boom

South Korea’s second-largest tire-maker Kumho Tire is riding the wave of strong demand for sport utility vehicles led by growing popularity of family leisure and outdoor camping activities here. SUVs accounted for 34 percent of the total auto market last year, with steady growth since 2011. In line with the trend, tire companies are also shifting their sales strategy to meet growing demand for SUVs. Kumho Tire’s product sales for SUVs have grown 24 percent over the last three years. Among them,

Aug. 17, 2016

Kia Motors in no hurry to build plant in India, chief says

The head of South Korea's No. 2 automaker Kia Motors Corp. said Wednesday that his company will eventually have to produce vehicles in India, one of the world's fastest growing markets, but that it was in no hurry to do so.Speaking to reporters at a Seoul hotel, Kia Motors CEO Park Han-woo acknowledged the company was looking at possible sites for a production facility in India."Because we are not shipping a single car to India, we will eventually have to go," Park said. He, however, said buildi

Aug. 17, 2016

Twizy may be launched in October

Renault Samsung’s mini electric car Twizy may be rolled out in South Korea as early as October, according to a local news report Monday. The compact electric car has a top speed of 80 kilometers per hour and is able to drive at a maximum of 100 kilometers on a single charge. Twizy (Renault Samsung)Twizy was not able to hit the road in the nation because of regulation issues on compact electric cars. In May, the Transport Ministry lifted these barriers amid rising demand for such cars and growing

Aug. 15, 2016

Volkswagen Korea chief grilled for 2nd day

The South Korean prosecution once again summoned for questioning the chief of German automaker Volkswagen’s local operations on Friday, continuing its investigation of alleged irregularities committed by the automaker in the country.Johannes Thammer, the chief executive of Audi Volkswagen Korea, appeared at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office the day before to address allegations that the firm fabricated emission test results for vehicles sold in Korea.Johannes Thammer, CEO of Audi Vo

Aug. 12, 2016

Hyundai Motor workers to again stage partial strike

Unionized workers at Hyundai Motor Co. were again set to stage a partial walkout Friday, further undermining the carmaker's output and sales.According to union leaders at Hyundai, some 15,000 workers will put down their tools for four hours from 11:30 a.m., while another 13,000 union members who belong to the company's second work shift will follow suit for four hours from 8:20 p.m.The partial strike will mark the third of its kind just this week, and the eighth since the union and management la

Aug. 12, 2016