Hyundai unveils design of Genesis GV70 SUV

Hyundai Motor Co. on Thursday unveiled the design of the GV70 SUV under its independent Genesis brand as it strives to gain a share in the high-end vehicle market. The midsized GV70 is the second SUV model with the Genesis badge following the launch of the GV80 SUV in January. Hyundai applied its "athletic elegance" design language to the GV70 following the similar aesthetic of the GV80 SUV and G80 sedan. The GV70 comes with Signature Genesis design elements that include a deep cr

Oct. 29, 2020

FCA Korea releases limited All-New Wrangler Willys edition

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Korea said Wednesday that it is releasing the All-New Wrangler Willys edition, presenting just 100 units here. According to the company, the All-New Wrangler Willys edition was inspired by the Willys Overland CJ-3A -- the “father” of modern recreational vehicles, which was introduced around the end of 1948. The four-door off-roader has a hood that displays a decal exclusive to the Willys and a black seven-slot grille that hints at the original Willys, t

Oct. 29, 2020

ETAS Korea partners with KPMG on automobile security business

ETAS Korea said Tuesday it has agreed to cooperate with KPMG Samjong Accounting on automobile security business. In June 2020, the UNECE’s World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations recently adopted a regulation on cyber security to mandate automakers and auto part producers to put in place a system to tackle security risks prior to putting vehicles on the market. UNECE stands for United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. Accordingly, all new cars to be registered in Eu

Oct. 27, 2020

[Photo News] BMW Driving Center celebrates 1 million visitors

BMW Korea said Monday its BMW Driving Center in Yeongjongdo, Incheon celebrated an accumulated 1 million visitors, since opening in August 2014. The BMW Driving Center offers various hands-on programs, such as test-drives on its 2.6-kilometer driving track and education courses for children.  The center in Yeongjongdo is the company‘s first to be built in Asia and the third in the world, after Germany and the US, the company said. Written by Jo He-rim (herim@heraldcorp.com)

Oct. 26, 2020

Budget carrier Jeju Air seen to get state support

Jeju Air Co., South Korea's top low-cost carrier, will likely receive state financial support in a bid to help overcome a coronavirus-caused cash crunch, sources said Monday. In May, South Korea launched a 40 trillion-won ($35.4 billion) fund to provide financial aid to the country's backbone industries, including the airline service sector, amid the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. According to the sources, the operational council of the Key Industry Stabilization Fund is slated

Oct. 26, 2020

Jeju Air joins rivals' push for plane conversion for cargo

Jeju Air Co., South Korea's biggest low-cost carrier, said Thursday it will carry cargo using a passenger jet to offset a sharp decline in air travel demand amid the coronavirus pandemic. Jeju Air plans to deploy a B737-800 passenger jet to deliver cargo from Incheon to Bangkok from late Thursday, the company said in a statement. "The company is considering expanding cargo delivery using passenger jets to other countries depending on market conditions," the statement said. Budget c

Oct. 22, 2020

Lexicon Premium Sound System applied to sporty Genesis G70

Harman International Korea said Wednesday its Lexicon Premium Sound System is being offered as an option for the Genesis sports sedan, the New G70, which was recently rolled out. According to the car audio supplier, the Lexicon Premium Sound System adds six more speakers to the originally installed nine to offer the best audio sound quality, with a high power output Class D Amplifier and under seat subwoofer. The 15 speakers balance the different ranges of sound, and the subwoofer installed

Oct. 21, 2020

GM introduces first super truck Hummer EV

GM introduced Wednesday the brand‘s first super truck, Hummer EV, developed to forge new paths with zero emissions. It will be the first fully electric addition to GMC’s lineup, GM said, adding that it would be driven by next-generation propulsion technology that enables advanced off-road capability, on-road performance and an immersive driving experience. GMC is a division of GM that primarily focuses on trucks and utility vehicles. “This innovative truck comes to the mar

Oct. 21, 2020

Han Sung Motor collaborates with Dream Gream students on tape art work

Han Sung Motor, the largest official dealer of Mercedes-Benz here, continues to support young artists with the Dream Gream art scholarship program, preparing all events online in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak. In the Han Sung Motor Cheongdam showroom in Seoul, Han Sung Motor CEO Ulf Ausprung and some 10 officials gathered Friday to hold this year’s Dream Gream Ambassador event. About 30 other ambassadors, who are company officials, took part in the event via a livestreaming platform. T

Oct. 21, 2020

Jeju Air resumes flights to China's Harbin

Jeju Air Co., South Korea's biggest low-cost carrier, on Wednesday resumed flights to the Chinese city of Harbin to meet travel demand from businessmen and students. Jeju Air will offer one flight a week on the Incheon-Harbin route from Wednesday after suspending the route for more than seven months amid the new coronavirus pandemic, the company said in a statement. The budget carrier has suspended most of its 76 international routes since March as countries strengthened entry restrictions to

Oct. 21, 2020

Hyundai launches facelifted Genesis G70 in S. Korea

Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's biggest carmaker, on Tuesday launched the upgraded G70 sedan under its independent Genesis brand in the domestic market to boost sales amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The facelifted G70 comes with a 2.0-liter gasoline turbocharged engine, a 2.2 diesel engine or a 3.3 gasoline turbocharged engine, the company said in a statement. The upgraded version of the first-generation G70 underwent major design changes and features a wide and deep crest grille, quad headlamps

Oct. 20, 2020

Mercedes-Benz new Actros exhibition, test-drive event runs in 11 regions

Daimler Trucks Korea said Tuesday that it is successfully running an exhibition and test-drive event for Mercedes-Benz’s new Actros, launched last month. Presented via a digital launching event Sept. 10, the new Actros has grabbed the attention of truck drivers and Mercedes-Benz customers for its newest technological functions, the automaker said. The fifth-generation Actros is equipped with five innovative functions, the company said: the MirrorCam, Active Drive Assist, Active Brake A

Oct. 20, 2020

Hyundai, Kia warn of $2.9 billion hit to earnings over US quality woes

Hyundai Motor and affiliate Kia Motors  warned of another $2.9 billion of provisions related to engine issues, bringing their total hit from the years-long quality problem that has tarnished their credibility to nearly $5 billion. Hyundai Motor Group said on Monday their third-quarter earnings would reflect quality-related costs of a combined 3.36 trillion won ($2.94 billion), of which Hyundai accounted for 2.1 trillion and Kia for 1.26 trillion. Hyundai and Kia, together the world’

Oct. 19, 2020

[Behind the Wheel] BMW Korea bids to take back throne with revamped 5, 6 GT Series

BMW Korea once led the foreign car market here, dating as far back as the importers association started to record sales in 2003 -- at least most of the time, until Mercedes-Benz took over in 2016. Now, BMW is stepping up its game against the archrival, with the revamped BMW 5 and 6 Gran Turismo Series. The automaker is making clear its intention to take back the throne, as it launched the upgraded version of its bestselling models on Oct. 5, just a week before Mercedes-Benz presented the fac

Oct. 19, 2020

Korean automotive companies witness jumps in sales, production

South Korea’s automotive industry has recovered to see sales and production grow by over 20 percent on-year in September, government data showed Monday. According to the data from Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the production of Korean cars increased by 23.2 percent in September, compared to the same time last year. Overall sales went up as well. In September, 137,771 Korean cars were sold in the domestic market, up 22.2 percent compared to the year earlier. The ministry als

Oct. 19, 2020

Jin Air to begin operating plane converted to carry cargo this week

Jin Air Co. said Monday it will begin operating a passenger plane converted to carry cargo to offset a sharp decline in air travel demand amid the coronavirus pandemic. Jin Air plans to deploy the B777-200ER jet, which has been converted into a cargo plane under approval from the transport ministry, on routes from Incheon to Bangkok and Qingdao from Saturday, the company said in a statement. The 315-seat converted plane will make two flights a week on the Bangkok route and three flights a wee

Oct. 19, 2020

Airlines to levy no fuel surcharges on int'l routes in Nov.

South Korean airlines will not impose fuel surcharges on international routes in November on low oil prices due to the coronavirus pandemic, industry sources said Monday. The surcharge for one-way tickets on international routes will remain at zero next month, unchanged from a month earlier, according to the sources. Local air carriers' fuel surcharges on international routes will stay at zero for the eighth consecutive month, raising expectations that the zero rate may last down the road. L

Oct. 19, 2020

Hyundai, Kia's market share in Europe likely to top 7% this year

   South Korea's top automaker Hyundai Motor Co. and its affiliate Kia Motors Corp. may see their combined share in the European market surpass 7 percent for the first time this year, industry watchers said Friday. Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors sold 101,322 vehicles in Europe in September, down 0.8 percent from a year earlier and representing a 7.8 percent market share, according to the two companies. Hyundai's sales declined 4.6 percent on-year to 49,439 units in Europe last month, w

Oct. 16, 2020

With sound three quarters, Volkswagen Korea unveils new Jetta

Volkswagen Korea unveiled the new seventh-generation Jetta at a press show on Thursday as it posted sales of over 10,000 units during the first three quarters of 2020. The new model comes at a price of around 27 million won ($23,600), while its prestige model is priced at just over 29 million won. The Jetta, since its birth in 1979, has sold 17.5 million units around the world. Of them, 17,000 have been sold in South Korea. As for its Korea operation overall, Volkswagen Korea said its sales w

Oct. 15, 2020

Hyundai chairman’s first stop: Hydrogen economy

Starting his first day as Hyundai Motor Group’s chairman on Thursday, Chung Euisun attended the government’s hydrogen economy committee meeting, riding there in his company’s first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the Nexo. Prior to the meeting, Chung had agreed to establish a joint entity with the government to expand the number of hydrogen charging stations across the country, clearly showing his commitment to creating a hydrogen ecosystem. During the meeting, Hyundai Motor s

Oct. 15, 2020