[Photo News] Future military vehicle

South Korean automaker Kia said Monday it will showcase its hydrogen fuel cell all-terrain vehicle concept car on the global stage for the first time at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference 2023 held in the United Arab Emirates' capital city Abu Dhabi this week. According to Kia, the future-fit hydrogen fuel cell ATV concept car is prepared to adapt to coming green policies and can maneuver with tactical quietness.

Feb. 20, 2023

SK Nexilis signs W1.4tr copper foil deal with Northvolt

SK Nexilis, the South Korean copper foil producer under SKC, has inked a supply contract worth up to 1.4 trillion won ($1.08 billion) with Swedish battery maker Northvolt, the company said Sunday. The Korean company’s five-year deal with Europe’s largest secondary battery maker will take effect next year, the announcement read. The supply volume will cover about 80 percent of Northvolt's copper foil demand during the signed period, which would be enough for 1.7 million electric

Feb. 19, 2023

[Photo News] On top again

Hyundai Motor's electric vehicle Ioniq 5 has been named the Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year, adding another accolade to the EV's long list of recognitions, the South Korean automaker announced Sunday. The EV received the World Car of the Year and scored top recognitions in Germany and the UK. According to Hyundai Motor, the Ioniq 5 also got the highest rating from the German automobile magazine Auto Bild in a recent assessment of EVs.

Feb. 19, 2023

EU launches in-depth investigation into Korean Air-Asiana

The European Union has begun the final stage of an investigation on Korean Air Co.'s proposed integration with smaller local rival Asiana Airlines Inc. in order to decide whether to approve the deal. The European Commission said it has opened an in-depth investigation of the deal in a press release posted on its homepage Friday (Belgium time). It conducted the first-stage review of the deal based on documents submitted by Korean Air last month. The commission said the deal could reduce comp

Feb. 18, 2023

Ford stops production of EV truck over potential battery issue

US auto giant Ford has halted production and shipments of the F-150 Lightning, its electric pickup truck, citing troubling signs with the vehicle’s battery pack. The automaker on Tuesday said in a statement that the company found a potential battery issue in an F-150 Lightning during its pre-delivery quality inspections and decided to stop manufacturing and shipping vehicles while investigating the issue. Ford added that the company is not aware of any incidences of this issue in the field

Feb. 15, 2023

LG Energy Solution commits to climate change measures

LG Energy Solution said Wednesday it will improve reporting on climate-related risks in accordance with the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures, or TCFD, the first of its kind among battery makers here. TCFD is an international organization created by the Group of 20’s Financial Stability Board in 2015. It recommends companies to disclose information on governance, strategies, risk management and management objectives connected to climate change. “We will manage and

Feb. 15, 2023

Hyundai Mobis to invest W10tr for future growth

Hyundai Mobis, a car parts maker under Hyundai Motor Group, unveiled its investment strategies and shareholder return policies for 2023 on Tuesday. According to Hyundai Mobis, the company is to invest a total of 10 trillion won ($7.9 billion) over the next three years, mainly investing 5 trillion to 6 trillion won of cash to secure competitiveness in the electrification of automobiles and acquisition of key components used to make cars. In addition, it will be investing 3 trillion to 4 trillion

Feb. 14, 2023

Ford-CATL partnership could erode Korean batteries’ price competitiveness

South Korean battery makers, who have poured considerable resources in the all-important US market, might lose ground over Ford’s new partnership deal with Chinese battery giant CATL, industry sources said Tuesday. On Monday, Ford announced it plans to invest $3.5 billion to build an electric vehicle battery plant in Michigan using technology licensed from CATL, the world’s No. 1 EV battery maker. The automaker will operate the production facility through its wholly owned subsidiar

Feb. 14, 2023

China’s BYD tops EV sales, outpaces Tesla for 1st time

The number of registered electric vehicles surpassed 10 million in 2022, as the EV industry continued its upward trend with the Chinese market’s strong growth, a report showed Monday. According to market tracker SNE Research, global EV registrations increased by 61.3 percent on year in 2022 to reach 10.83 million. The report said BYD, a Chinese EV maker, grew by 205 percent on-year to account for 17.3 percent of the global EV market and also became the biggest EV seller in the world, as th

Feb. 13, 2023

[Herald Interview] Polestar to add SUV to Korea lineup

Polestar Korea is looking to introduce the Swedish all-electric automaker’s latest product, the Polestar 3 -- an EV sport utility vehicle -- to the South Korean market as early as possible this year. “If last year was the year of electric sedans, we expect this year to be the year of large electric SUVs,” said Ham Jong-sung, managing director of Polestar Korea, in an interview with The Korea Herald in Seoul on Thursday. Referring to other automakers’ series of new EV SUV

Feb. 13, 2023

Renault XM3 named hybrid SUV of the year

Renault Korea Motors’ XM3 E-Tech Hybrid has been named the Hybrid SUV of the Year at the Car of the Year event hosted by the Korea Automotive Journalists Association, the carmaker said Sunday. The XM3 has so far won three awards at the event, following two wins last year for Small SUV of the Year and Design of the Year. Produced at the carmaker’s Busan plant and exported around the world, the XM3 is a global project led by researchers at Renault Technology Korea. The coupe-type SUV

Feb. 12, 2023

Hyundai Motor Group tops US vehicle dependability rankings

Hyundai Motor Group has once again topped the J.D. Power US Vehicle Dependability Study with all of its three auto brands -- Hyundai, Kia and Genesis -- ranked in the top 10, the South Korean automaker said Friday. According to J.D. Power’s report that assessed 31 auto brands, Genesis ranked second while Kia and Hyundai placed third and eighth, respectively. The Korean automaker said its three brands had the best overall average score of the 16 global auto groups in the study for the secon

Feb. 10, 2023

Hyundai Motor chief reaffirms will for hydrogen transition

Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun has pledged to embark on a full-scale journey to transition into a hydrogen society this year, reaffirming the automaker’s will to continue developing and expanding its hydrogen vehicle business. “To establish a sustainable supply chain, we will take the lead in preparing for the application of green steel and eco-friendly parts, and gradually convert utilities and raw materials used at our business sites around the world to renewable

Feb. 9, 2023

SM6 combines Renault’s sporty heritage, modern technology

South Korean car manufacturer Renault Korea Motors’ midsize sedan SM6 is a steady seller in the vast domestic automobile market alongside other sizable competitors. This is thanks to the model’s commercial value, which is built on a balance between the carmaker's heritage and advanced technology. The carmaker highlighted the popular sedan’s state-of-the-art features such as a downsized engine, smooth handling and steering system as well as safety functions. In the past, lo

Feb. 9, 2023

German carmakers fined over emissions collusion

South Korea’s antitrust watchdog imposed a combined 42.3 billion won ($33.5 million) in fines Thursday on three German carmakers -- Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi -- for collusion in the emissions of their diesel-powered vehicles. The carmakers were found to have installed software designed to reduce nitrogen oxide only minimally to just satisfy Korean environmental regulations. The toxic gas causes ozone and acid rain, and is linked to asthma, respiratory disorders and lung disease. The Fa

Feb. 9, 2023

SK On withdraws from Turkey battery project with Ford

South Korean electric vehicle battery maker SK On confirmed Wednesday its withdrawal from a battery project in Turkey, where it had planned to build a new EV battery plant as part of a joint venture with US auto giant Ford. “We can confirm that the nonbinding memorandum of understanding between Ford, SK On and KOC Holding has been terminated by mutual agreement,” the three parties said in a statement. “We still have a strategic partnership on plants in Hungary and Georgia and o

Feb. 9, 2023

[Herald Interview] SK-backed Loop Industries seeks expansion in Asia’s recycling market

Highlighting the potential of the burgeoning recycling market in Asia, Daniel Solomita, the founder and CEO of Canada-based clean technology company Loop Industries, has vowed to build its first full-scale recycling production facility using plastic and textile wastes in South Korea’s southeastern city of Ulsan. The plant is set to break ground later this year within the 1.7 trillion won ($1.3 billion) plastic recycling complex of SK Geo Centric, a chemical materials unit under the South

Feb. 9, 2023

VW to recall 74,000 cars over faulty warning triangles

Volkswagen Korea will recall more than 74,000 cars over faulty warning triangles, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Wednesday. Starting from Friday, the Korean unit of the German carmaker plans to issue a recall on a total of 74,809 vehicles across 27 car models that were sold here. The list includes 15,691 units of Tiguan 2.0 TDI, 9,466 units of Arteon 2.0 TDI and 9,050 units of Jetta 1.4 TSI. The Lamborghini brand, which was originally off the list, was added to the rec

Feb. 8, 2023

GMC debuts Sierra Denali in Korea

General Motors on Tuesday announced the launch of the Sierra Denali, GMC’s flagship pickup truck, in South Korea, officially introducing the GMC brand in the country for the first time. “Today we are to introduce the GMC brand in Korea with the launch of an astoundingly advanced and exceedingly premium truck, the GMC Sierra,” said Roberto Rempel, CEO of GM Korea, in a media showcase held on the floating island of Sebitseom in Seoul. Only the Sierra Denali -- the highest trim of

Feb. 7, 2023

[Test Drive] Audi 4Q e-tron, a smooth switch to EV

Many EVs currently available in the market feature futuristic and seamless designs, which have replaced the physical buttons in the center console with touch displays. This poses trouble for first-time drivers, who likely need some time to get used to the car's controls. The Audi Q4 e-tron might be the best option for those hoping to jump right into an EV and be comfortable behind the wheel. At first glance, during a media test drive of the Audi q4 e-tron on Jan. 31, the compact SUV's

Feb. 7, 2023