Asia’s first Porsche exhibition garners attention in Seoul

Asia’s first Porsche exhibition, “Porsche Ikonen,” drew thousands of visitors in its first week in Seoul, Porsche Korea said Friday. Since the general opening to the public Saturday, the exhibition saw around 6,500 visitors as of Thursday, with an average of 2,000 visitors last weekend, according to the automaker. Tickets for the coming weekend have already sold out. Showcasing 18 units of legendary cars including the hypercar concept “919 Street,” Porsche’

April 15, 2022

Kia, Coupang to develop electric truck by 2025

South Korean carmaker Kia and last-mile delivery service firm Coupang announced Friday that they had signed an agreement Wednesday to develop all-electric vehicles for cargo delivery. The two companies plan to launch mid-sized and large electric cargo vans by 2025, with better storage, efficiency and safety than Coupang’s current 1-ton cargo truck. Kia said it would use its experience and technology in the automobile sector to offer diverse solutions and services requested by Coupang to

April 15, 2022

At NY autoshow, Hyundai Ioniq 5 wins World Car of the Year title

Hyundai Motor‘s first all-electric car Ioniq 5 was named World Car of the Year by the World Car Awards for solidifying its position as the carmaker’s signature EV in global markets as well as for creating its unique vehicle design, the company said Thursday. On the announcement made on the eve of the New York International Auto Show, its chief Chung Euisun said the carmaker will continue to push for making competitive all-electric vehicles and also speed up the establishment of the

April 14, 2022

[Herald Interview] ICAO supports opening of inter-Korean airway, but safety check comes first

The United Nations aviation agency supports having direct flights between North and South Korea, on condition of Seoul’s endorsement, but a clear assessment of the safety and security of passengers and flights should be carried out, its chief said Tuesday. 　 “We are interested that these flights are conducted in a safe, secure, efficient manner and we stand ready to support basically if that decision is taken by the government,” said Juan Carlos Salazar, the head of the Intern

April 13, 2022

Newsweek chooses Hyundai Motor chief as ‘visionary of the year’

US weekly magazine Newsweek chose Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun as visionary of the year in Newsweek World‘s Greatest Auto Disruptors Award event on Tuesday. In its special issue on agents of change in the automotive industry, Newsweek detailed Chung’s plans for Hyundai’s future, the carmaker’s progress and challenges in alternative fuels, acquisition of a robotics company, and its focus on vertical integration to become self-sufficient, from components to fi

April 13, 2022

Aviation experts gather in Seoul to prepare for post-COVID era

Aviation experts from around the world gathered in Seoul on Tuesday to discuss ways to promote the aviation industry’s safe recovery in the post-pandemic era. During the 2022 International Civil Aviation Organization’s Legal Seminar hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, South Korea’s Transport Minister Noh Hyeong-ouk pointed out that governments around the world have sought for diverse ways to support the air industry to recover from plunging travel dem

April 12, 2022

Asiana to resume Incheon-Rome route in June

Asiana Airlines Inc., South Korea's second-biggest carrier, said Monday it will resume the Incheon-Rome route in June to meet pent-up demand amid eased virus curbs. Asiana plans to offer two flights a week to Rome from June 18 and gradually increase the number depending on demand, a company spokesperson said over the phone. The carrier suspended the Rome route two years and three months ago as countries strengthened entry restrictions to stem the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Asiana used

April 11, 2022

Korean Air joins UAM surveillance research project

National flag carrier Korean Air announced Monday that it is taking part in a government-led research and development project of an urban air mobility surveillance information acquisition system. Under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s project, Korean Air will be developing the operating control system and operation simulating system needed for UAM operators, the airline said. The operating control system allows operators to plan, monitor, and schedule flights as well

April 11, 2022

Automotive market faces inflation risks

Inflation concerns are growing in the automotive market, raising prices of both new and used cars here. According to a report by the Korea Automotive Technology Institute released Monday, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is adding to ongoing chip supply shortages and resulting in a continuous price surge in cars worldwide. The report predicted that the current inflation in the car industry could be prolonged, as carmakers are likely to face difficulty in securing semiconductors -- among ot

April 11, 2022

Kumho Tire launches ultra-high performance tire MajestyX Solus

South Korean tire maker Kumho Tire said Monday that it has launched MajestyX Solus, a new ultra-high performance tire targeting the premium vehicle market. The latest tire is a luxury sequel to the existing Majesty Solus, and will be marketed as the tire maker’s flagship product lineup for luxury cars. 　 The tire maximizes brake performance and tread durability by utilizing precise high-dispersion silica compounds, according to the company. This technology minimizes abrasions and allows

April 11, 2022

Transition team chief meets with Hyundai Motor chairman

Ahn Cheol-soo, the chief of President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol’s transition team, and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun met on Friday to discuss the country’s future mobility outlook as well as measures for nurturing and expanding the industry’s workforce. Ahn and other committee member lawmakers visited Hyundai Motor Group’s R&D center in Namyang, Gyeonggi Province.  “A future mobility industry is the next focus of the country’s strategic busin

April 8, 2022

Incheon airport to adopt new security screening system

Starting in September, passengers departing from Incheon International Airport won’t need to take out their laptops or liquid items from their carry-on bags.  According to Incheon International Airport on Wednesday, it will adopt a smart security screening system to shorten the entire departure process by applying advanced technology which will automatically detect prohibited liquids and hazardous items including weapons, radioactive materials and certain types of lithium batteries.

April 6, 2022

LG Energy Solution expects no more EV battery recalls from renewed probe

South Korean electric vehicle battery maker LG Energy Solution said Wednesday it does not expect any more recalls as a result of a probe by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a federal auto safety agency in the United States. “In regards to the major recalls of General Motors’ Bolt, Hyundai Motor’s Kona and Ioniq, an NHTSA procedure has been completed and settlements with auto makers have been reached, so we expect no more issues regarding the battery recall,&

April 6, 2022

9th International EV Expo to kick off in Jeju next month

The annual International Electric Vehicle Expo -- the largest exhibition on electric vehicles in the world -- will kick off next month, bringing industry experts and visitors from around the world to South Korea’s resort island of Jeju. Some 200 companies in the e-mobility sector are to participate in the exhibition, which kicks off on May 3 for a four-day run, according to the organizer. The list of participants includes Tesla and Volvo as exhibitors for the first time. A virtual exhibi

April 5, 2022

Korean Air named cargo operator of 2022

National flag carrier Korean Air was selected as cargo operator of the year for 2022 for addressing global cargo capacity shortages with new gateways and freighters, Air Transport World announced Friday. Korean Air has “continued to go from strength to strength, remaining at the forefront of addressing the global cargo capacity shortages resulting from the pandemic,” noted ATW, a publication for the global aviation industry. Korean Air opened two gateways in the United States to a

April 3, 2022

Hyundai, Kia's US sales down 3.7% in Q1

Hyundai Motor Co. and its affiliate Kia Corp. said Saturday their combined sales in the United States fell 3.7 percent in the first quarter compared with a year ago due to the prolonged pandemic and chip shortages. The corporate duo sold a total of 322,593 vehicles in the US in the first three months of this year, according to the companies' sales data. In March alone, the two automakers sold a combined 123,507 units, a 14.8 percent decline from a year earlier. Hyundai's US sales in the fir

April 2, 2022

Han Sung Motor launches 11th Dream Gream scholarship project

Han Sung Motor, the official Mercedes-Benz dealer, announced Tuesday the launch of its 11th Dream Gream scholarship program for artistically gifted students through the metaverse platform Zepeto. The Dream Gream scholarship program supports both financially and academically middle and high school students that want to pursue a career in arts, according to Han Sung Motor. The launching ceremony was held on a virtual space in Zepeto named “Dream Gream Meta-planet” that portrayed the

March 29, 2022

[Test Drive] Volkswagen’s new Arteon: Spacious, sporty, efficient

For those that have a lot to carry in their cars but do not want to give up on the sporty features, Volkswagen’s new Arteon could be your next pick. The fastback sedan’s exterior sports both sharp and wavy lines, giving an edge to the otherwise classic-style car. Adding to the stylish design are Volkswagen’s LED headlights that project the carmaker’s logo onto the ground when the driver starts the car engine at night. The interior of the new Arteon shows a mix of moder

March 28, 2022

Hankook Tire to launch tire brand for EVs

Hankook Tire and Technology said it would unveil the world’s first full lineup of tires s for electric vehicles in May. The world’s sixth-biggest tiremaker by sales said it will launch the iON tire brand for EVs in the European market first, and then in South Korea in August. The iON will come in six products from 18-inch to 22-inch summer, winter and all-season tires for both passenger cars and sport-utility vehicles. The iON was developed to target high-performance premium EVs f

March 28, 2022

[Newsmaker] SsangYong Motor back on sale as Edison’s acquisition fails

South Korean mid-sized automaker Edison Motors’ proposed acquisition of SsangYong Motor has been cancelled due to payment failure, putting the debt-laden SUV maker’s journey to search for new owner back to starting line. 　 According to SsangYong Motor on Monday, its acquisition contract with a consortium led by Edison Motors was terminated after the buyer failed to pay 274.3 billion won ($223.7 million) by March 25, the deadline date designated by the Seoul Bankruptcy Court to pay

March 28, 2022