Hyundai, Kia’s swap between overseas

Hyundai Motors Co. will shuffle production of two models between its Czech factory and a plant operated in neighboring Slovakia by the carmaker’s affiliate, Kia Motors Corp.The factory near Zilina, Northern Slovakia, will take over production of Kia Venga compact cars, which are currently assembled in the Czech Republic, according to Dusan Dvorak, spokesman for the unit. Similarly, production of H

Jan. 23, 2011

Renault Samsung offers free Seolnal checkup

Renault Samsung Motors Co. will be operating vehicle checkup points at 14 rest stops on expressways from Feb. 1 to 6 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. for those traveling during the Seolnal, Lunar New Year, holiday.The checkup points offer general checkups free of charge, and replacements for various parts and components. Mechanics stationed at the checkup points will also provide tips on vehicle maintena

Jan. 23, 2011

Automobile recalls in S. Korea soar in 2010

Automobile recalls in South Korea spiked in 2010 because of tighter safety-related regulatory control and monitoring, a government report showed Monday.   According to the report by the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, 270,000 vehicles of 87 locally made and imported models were recalled last year, up 110,000 units from a year earlier.   The total number of vehicle models recalled

Jan. 17, 2011

BMW trumps Daimler in Europe sales as VW’s Audi keeps top spot

Volkswagen AG’s Audi unit defended its top spot in luxury-car sales in Europe last year while Bayerische Motoren Werke AG’s main brand captured second place from Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz as demand for premium cars revived. New registrations for BMWs rose 6.5 percent last year to 609,196, the fastest pace among the three brands, exceeding Mercedes’s 586,146, while Audi stayed on top with sales of

Jan. 16, 2011

Toyota developing motors without rare earths

Toyota Motor Corp., the world’s largest seller of hybrid autos, is developing an alternative motor for future hybrid and electric cars that doesn’t need rare-earth minerals at risk of supply disruptions.Toyota engineers in Japan and the U.S. are working on a so- called induction motor that’s lighter and more efficient than the magnet-type motor now used in its Prius, said John Hanson, a company sp

Jan. 16, 2011

New Mercedes-Benz S Class hits local market

Mercedes-Benz Korea launched the new S350 BlueTEC on the local market on Wednesday.According to the company, the new vehicle is 6.8 percent more fuel efficient and has 10 percent more power output than the previous version of the car. The vehicle is fitted with a 3-liter, V6 engine and seven-speed automatic transmission. The car’s engine puts out 258 brake horsepower, and can reach 100 kilometers

Jan. 16, 2011

Mercedes-Benz dealer offers iPads

Hansung Motor, the official Mercedes-Benz dear, is offering gifts including 25 Apple iPad table PCs during January.As part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, the company will provide iPads to 25 randomly selected customers who buy Mercedes-Benz vehicles during the month,In addition, the company will be giving away gifts to all those who visit showrooms and receive consultations during the month

Jan. 16, 2011

Daihatsu to end vehicle sales in Europe

TOKYO (DPA) ― Japanese carmaker Daihatsu Motor Co. said Friday it had decided to withdraw from Europe from January 2013 due to sluggish sales and a decline in profits. Daihatsu, a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corp., said it would end the sale of new vehicles in the European market. Worsening profitability was partly responsible as the yen rose against the euro.A stronger yen makes Japanese-made prod

Jan. 16, 2011

Special lease program with Mini

Mini is offering special lease financing program on all models until the end of the month. Those purchasing Mini vehicles before the end of the month will be offered the choice of using a lease program that allows 40 percent of the vehicle’s price to be paid in installments over 36 months, and return the vehicle at the end of the period. Using the program, the Mini Cooper SE can be financed for 27

Jan. 16, 2011

Peugeot launches electric bicycles

PARIS (DPA) ― With the launch of its first electric vehicle, the iOn, Peugeot is also offering a collection of three electrically driven bicycles featuring a light aluminum frame and a Panasonic electric engine with a range of between 75 and 95 kilometers. A special comfort feature is a high-quality Selle Royal saddle designed for longer trips and a sturdy luggage rack. In addition the lighting in

Jan. 16, 2011

Toyota adds cheapest Lexus model

Toyota Motor Corp. introduced its cheapest Lexus yet in Japan as the automaker struggles to replicate the luxury brand’s U.S. success in its home market.The Lexus CT200h went on sale today priced from 3.55 million yen ($43,000), Toyota said in a statement, making it less expensive than the 3.95 million yen HS250h hybrid and 3.98 million yen IS250 sedan. The automaker, the world’s largest, plans to

Jan. 16, 2011

Harley Davidson’s ‘Hot Winter’ promotion

Harley Davidson Korea is holding the “Hot Winter” promotion event that offers credits for Harley Davidson accessories, free checkup service and winter clothing until the end of the month.As part of the promotion, the company is offering credits that can be used to buy Harley Davidson parts and accessories to those buying new vehicles before the end of the month.The company is also holding a mileag

Jan. 9, 2011

Honda lease sales of EV-neo electric scooter

TOKYO (DPA) ― Honda has started delivery of its EV-neo electric scooter to customers in Japan prior to the start of lease sales to businesses in April next year, the carmaker has announced.These first 100 vehicles, which qualify as a first-class motor-driven cycle in Japan for engine displacements of 50cc or less, will be used to collect data and other information for the future development of zer

Jan. 9, 2011

BMW introduces new car exchange program

BMW Korea is offering a chance to exchange 528i and Gran Tourismo vehicles for other BMW models until the end of the month.The offer is limited to vehicles registered less than 30 days before the date of exchange or to those having traveled less than 3,000 kilometers since their initial purchase.The offer is also limited to vehicles registered during January, and to those purchased on BMW Financia

Jan. 9, 2011

New Mercedes C-Class to hit market early this year

STUTTGART (DPA) ― The new Mercedes C-Class, to be launched early in the new year, has undergone several modifications including a new front and rear and energy efficient engines that reduce consumption by up to 31 per cent compared to the predecessor model, according to the carmaker.Efficiency-enhancing measures include improved 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission and the ECO start/stop function

Jan. 9, 2011