Small cars favored over compact sedans this year: data

The sales of city cars in South Korea, such as the Spark and the Morning, have remained firm this year on the back of aggressive promotions by automakers, with their combined sales exceeding those of compact sedans, industry data showed Monday.According to the data compiled by the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association, a total of 72,151 subcompact cars were sold in the country through May this year, compared with 69,978 compact sedans sold during the cited period.Currently, there are three

June 20, 2016

Global automakers moving on mobility

Global automakers are seeking to transform from mere car manufacturers into transportation providers -- offering diverse auto-related services such as car-sharing and ride-hailing services-- amid growing concerns that self-driving technology may bring down car sales in the future. This year, several auto giants have aligned themselves with tech firms or announced mobility plans, although Korean automakers including Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors have not yet made any big deals in this area. Early

June 19, 2016

Authorities to wrap up probe on humidifier sterilizer cases

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean prosecutors will be wrapping up the five-month investigation into toxic humidifier disinfectants that left at least 140 dead and hundreds more affected since 2011, according to officials on Sunday.The special probe team of Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office is expected to press charges against some 20 people related to the incident, including 12 already arrested on charges varying from professional negligence to false advertising that products were safe. The su

June 19, 2016

Lotte brothers prepare for showdown in Japan amid probe

[THE INVESTOR] Amid the widening investigation into Lotte Group, a fresh round of fraternal conflict between Lotte chairman Shin Dong-bin and his brother Shin Dong-joo is expected to take place on June 25 at a shareholders’ meeting of the Tokyo-based Lotte Holdings that controls Hotel Lotte, the de facto holding company of its Korea operations. Shin Dong-joo is expected to propose a motion to oust his brother and incumbent chairman Dong-bin who controls Lotte’s Korea and Japan operations. Shin D

June 19, 2016

More consumers reaching for affordable wines

[THE INVESTOR] Wine has found a new place in the lifestyles of Korean consumers who increasingly see it as a casual drink for everyday enjoyment due to falling prices and growing accessibility.According to the Korea International Trade Association, wine imports last year reached $189.8 million, surpassing the value of imported whisky for the first time. New trends indicate that much of the growth was fueled by Korean consumers’ increasing preference for affordable wines to enjoy at home. The vol

June 19, 2016

Hyundai Motor begins offering iPhone-friendly vehicles

South Korea's top automotive group Hyundai Motor Group is beginning to offer Apple's CarPlay system in its vehicles sold here, market observers said Sunday.Hyundai Motor Co., the bigger of the two automakers that make up the world's fifth-largest automotive group, began incorporating CarPlay into the infotainment system of the Hyundai Sonata this month, making it the first vehicle model produced and sold here that is CarPlay-compatible, according to the market observers.Apple CarPlay is a system

June 19, 2016

[LOTTE CRISIS] Five major allegations against Lotte

[THE INVESTOR] Prosecutors are focusing on five main allegations against Lotte Group in their probe on the nation’s fifth largest conglomerate. 1. Shin Kyuk-ho and Shin Dong-bin’s 30 billion won (US$25.6 million)Prosecutors on June 16 secured testimony that Lotte group founder Shin Kyuk-ho and his son -- current group chairman Shin Dong-bin -- had collected 10 billion won and 20 billion won, respectively, from the affiliates under the conglomerate. The two Shins asserted that the amount was for

June 19, 2016

Lotte founder moves hospital amid escalating probe

[THE INVESTOR] Lotte Group founder Shin Kyuk-ho was transferred to another hospitals on June 18 amid prosecutors’ escalating probe into the retail and food giant. According to news reports, the 93-year-old was admitted to Asan Medical Center earlier in the day from Seoul National University Hospital where he had been hospitalized since Jun 9 due to high fever. Lotte Group founder Shin Kyuk-hoAn official close to his eldest son Shin Dong-joo was quoted as saying that there was medical opinion tha

June 19, 2016

Prosecutors say VW’s HQ ordered emissions manipulation

[THE INVESTOR] German carmaker Volkswagen’s headquarters ordered the manipulation of emissions tests for vehicles imported into Korea, Seoul prosecutors said on June 17. The investigators have secured evidence that German officials ordered the manipulation of software in the seventh generation Volkswagen Golf to secure approval from Korea’s National Institute of Environmental Research. Under local laws, all imported cars have to receive approval from the state-run agency of their emission result

June 17, 2016

Hyundai, Kia May sales rise in Europe

[THE INVESTOR] Hyundai Motor Group -- comprising Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors -- saw significant sales rise in Europe in May, a research report showed on June 17. The report by Hana Financial Investment showed that Hyundai Motor’s sales rose 18 percent from the same month last year, while Kia’s figures increased 16 percent. The combined sales of both carmakers rose 17 percent. Tucson.For Hyundai Motor, the compact sport utility vehicle Tucson led the rise with sales jumping 46 percent from a yea

June 17, 2016

Lotte suspected of giving favors to founder’s third wife

[THE INVESTOR] Lotte Group is suspected of giving business favors to a company controlled by its founder’s third wife Seo Mi-kyung, industry watchers said on June 17.Seo is among those being investigated for their involvement in the retail giant’s slush fund allegations. The 57-year-old Seo is the 1977 winner of the group’s Miss Lotte beauty pageant and has a 33-year-old daughter with Lotte founder Shin Kyuk-ho, now 93. Seo came into the limelight recently as prosecutors have widened their probe

June 17, 2016

Cuckoo purifiers’ toxic substance at permitted levels

[THE INVESTOR] Cuckoo Electronics on June 16 said the filters of its purifiers were safe to use after reports showed them using a toxic substance called octylisothiazolinone.Cuckoo said it used one-tenth of government permitted levels to strengthen the filters against viruses and bacteria.However, Cuckoo said it would replace the filters with those that did not use the substance, free of charge, to those who would like a replacement. Cuckoo‘s comments come amid a nationwide uproar over toxic hum

June 16, 2016

[LOTTE CRISIS] Lotte Chemical suspected of stashing slush funds

[THE INVESTOR] Prosecutors suspect Lotte Group’s affiliate Lotte Chemical is behind stashing multibillion won slush funds abroad amid a widening probe into Korea’s fifth largest conglomerates over embezzlement. According to local reports on June 16, Lotte Chemical has reportedly amassed funds by overstating the import price of raw materials and later siphoned off to the group’s executives. Lotte Department Store in central Seoul. The InvestorIn this process, Lotte Chemical stuck a deal with Lott

June 16, 2016

[LOTTE CRISIS] Lotte Japan likely to face probe

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean prosecutors may seek a joint probe with investigators in Japan to expand its investigation into Lotte’s alleged creation of slush funds and embezzlement, according to reports Thursday quoting officials with the prosecution.Lotte’s subsidiaries in Japan are running relatively smaller businesses than the group’s operations in Korea. But when looking at its corporate governance structure, most of Lotte’s affiliates in Korea are being controlled by Tokyo-based Lotte Holdi

June 16, 2016

Will Hyundai tap into diesel cars?

[THE INVESTOR] Amid growing speculation that Hyundai Motor will add a diesel vehicle to its luxury brand Genesis lineup, a company official said on June 16 that nothing has been confirmed. Genesis -- which became a standalone brand last November – unveiled its G80 at the latest Busan International Motor show on June 2. After the show, local media reported that the diesel version of G80 will be released next year, in a move seen to aim to beat out European luxury carmakers here and abroad. G80. (

June 16, 2016

[EXCLUSIVE] Lotte drops DFA bid amid widening probe

[THE INVESTOR] Lotte Group has given up its plans to acquire Duty Free Americas Inc., the largest duty-free operator in the U.S., amid the widening probe that had earlier forced the South Korean retail giant to withdraw plans to list its hotel unit, The Korea Herald found Thursday.“The group has effectively given up on the potential acquisition of a U.S. duty-free operator worth 1.7 trillion won ($1.5 billion), now that the initial public offering of its hotel unit has been indefinitely delayed

June 16, 2016

Hyundai to recall 62,319 Tucson SUVs for hood lock problems

Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's largest carmaker, will recall 62,319 units of its Tucson sports utility vehicle for problems with its hood lock system, the transport ministry said Thursday.The model's secondary hood latch remains in the wrong position when the hood is closed, and, as a result, the hood may unexpectedly open while driving, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.The problem has been detected in 62,319 Tucson SUVs produced between March 15, 2015, and March

June 16, 2016

[LOTTE CRISIS] Who is Hwang Gak-kyu?

[INVESTOR] Hwang Gak-kyu, a close aide to Lotte Group chairman Shin Dong-bin, is under the spotlight amid the widening probe by prosecutors into Korea’s retail giant over alleged creation of slush funds and embezzlement. Hwang is the president in charge of policy coordination of the group, which is regarded as the control tower of the retail giant. The team is responsible for various mergers and acquisition deals of the conglomerate and was also in charge of constructing Seoul’s 123-story skyscr

June 15, 2016

Hyundai Motor may partner with Uber

U.S.-based ride-hailing service provider Uber Technology’s employees attended Hyundai Motor's autonomous technology seminar Wednesday, the automaker confirmed, raising speculation of the two firms’ possible tie-up in the self-driving sector. “It is true that Uber’s working-level employees have joined a two-day autonomous technology seminar held in Hyundai’s research center,” a Hyundai Motor spokesperson told The Korea Herald by phone. The closed-door seminar was held together with Hyundai’s part

June 15, 2016

[LOTTE CRISIS] Shin Dong-bin’s right-hand man suspected of stashing slush funds

[THE INVESTOR] Prosecutors believe Hwang Gak-kyu, a close aide to Lotte chairman Shin Dong-bin, is a key figure behind Lotte Group’s massive slush fund creation, local news reported on June 15. Hwang, who is the head of the operation team and president of the group, is reportedly suspected to have transferred slush funds by overstating the import price of raw materials. Lee Sang-sub/babtong@heraldcorp.comSeoul Central Prosecutor’s Office has secured testimony and evidence that Hwang, a petrochem

June 15, 2016