Experts urge efforts to prevent EV fires

SEOGWIPO, Jeju Island – Amid a surge in electric vehicle sales globally, experts on Tuesday called for concerted efforts among policymakers and industry officials to prevent EV batteries from catching fire. Fire-prone batteries were blamed for 12 percent of the total 130 recalls issued here since 2018, while software malfunctions took up the largest share at 43 percent, according to Lee Gwang-beom, an advisor at law firm Shin & Kim. “But battery fires are directly linked to con

May 2, 2023

[Photo News] The House of GM

American multinational automotive company General Motors said Tuesday it will open its first collective brand space in Korea called "The House of GM" on Friday. The space, inspired by GM's heritage site, Factory One, will be used to showcase the firm's company values, US culture and lifestyles. There will also be a variety of events for visitors to enjoy, including test drives, DIY workshops and gifts for child visitors in celebration of Children's Day, which will be dis

May 2, 2023

LS Cable completes Asia’s largest submarine cable plant, eyeing offshore wind power market

South Korea’s top wire and cable maker LS Cable & System said Tuesday it has completed Asia’s largest high-voltage direct current (HVDC) underwater cable plant in Donghae, Gangwon Province. The plant, named Submarine Building 4, is a 172-meter-tall vertical continuous vulcanization (VCV) tower with a total floor area spanning 34,816 square meters. Some 190 billion won ($141 million) has been injected into the construction that started in July 2021. The company said this facility

May 2, 2023

[Herald Interview] Kona Electric comes back stronger, cheaper

Hyundai Motor’s all-electric compact sport utility vehicle Kona has returned to the market after a yearslong hiatus. Its first-generation model was suspended in 2019 following a series of battery fires, leading to a 1.4 trillion won ($1 billion) recall of some 80,000 vehicles. For the vehicle's second generation, dubbed the All New Kona Electric, the carmaker has teamed up with Chinese battery giant CATL to enhance safety while minimizing price hikes, according to Hyundai’s prod

April 30, 2023

[Photo News] Hyundai chair at Yoon’s US Congress speech

Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun (second from right in second row) was spotted during President Yoon Suk Yeol’s address to a joint meeting of the US Congress, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the bilateral alliance at the House Chamber of the US Capitol, Washington, D.C., on Thursday. Chung and top executives including Hyundai Motor Group CEO Chang Jae-hoon and Jose Munoz, president and CEO of Hyundai and Genesis Motor North America, had reportedly signed up to make sure

April 28, 2023

Korea Exchange to resume trading of KG Mobility shares

South Korea's main bourse operator decided Thursday to keep KG Mobility, formerly known as SsangYong Motor, listed on the market. SsangYong's shares have been suspended since December 2020, when the carmaker filed for a court receivership. The court receivership procedure was completed in November last year, after KG Group decided to acquire SsangYong. The company was later renamed KG Mobility. The Korea Exchange conducted an eligibility review Thursday and decided to keep the compan

April 27, 2023

Hyundai, Kia likely to outpace Toyota in Q1 earnings for 1st time

Hyundai Motor Group is highly likely to outpace Toyota in first quarter earnings this year for the first time, according to industry estimates on Wednesday. The South Korean auto giant’s Hyundai and Kia brands posted a combined 6.5 trillion won ($4.8 billion) in operating profits in the first three months of this year. It is a record figure for the carmaker, exceeding the estimated 5.98 trillion won of operating profits of its archrival Toyota, the world’s No. 1 carmaker in terms of

April 26, 2023

Korean battery makers bolster EV alliance in US to tackle IRA

South Korean battery and automakers are shelling out big funds to set up joint ventures for electric vehicle batteries in the US in response to the protectionist Inflation Reduction Act, industry sources said Wednesday. Samsung SDI announced Tuesday it is poised to build a joint venture with General Motors in the US. Details of the deal including the location were not made available. Under $3 billion investment, the plant will have an annual production capacity of 30 gigawatt-hours, supplying

April 26, 2023

Renault’s QM6 combines perks of SUVs and sedans

Renault Korea’s new QM6 SUV is more than just your typical SUV -- it is also equipped with the much-loved perks of a sedan. SUVs are usually known to offer a less comfortable riding experience compared to sedans due to the bigger tires causing higher road impact. With an improved power train, reduced noise, an upgraded exterior and additional convenience features, Renault’s QM6 presents a solution to this issue by keeping the performance and capabilities of an SUV while incorporating

April 26, 2023

[Photo News] New Mercedes E-Class

Mercedes-Benz unveiled the new E-Class in a digital world premiere on Tuesday. The new E-Class underwent a full change for the first time in seven years to feature advanced personalization and digitalization functions. The luxury midrange sedan is expected to go on sale early next year in South Korea.

April 26, 2023

Hyundai Motor outpaces Samsung in quarterly earnings for 1st time

Hyundai Motor, the flagship unit of Hyundai Motor Group, said Tuesday it posted record operating profits of 3.6 trillion won ($2.7 billion) in the first three months of this year, outpacing Samsung Electronics in quarterly earnings for the first time. The auto giant reported surprising earnings in the first quarter, with operating profits jumping up 86.3 percent on-year. During the same period, Samsung Electronics posted 600 billion won in operating profits. It is the first time that Hyundai

April 25, 2023

LG Energy Solution to set up W600b advanced production line at Ochang plant

LG Energy Solution said Tuesday it will set up an advanced production line at its Ochang plant in a bid to supply more certified battery prototypes to global electric carmakers. Under a 600 billion won ($450.7 million) investment, the battery maker plans to build what it calls a “mother" production line, where a battery cell prototype can be mass-produced, in its Ochang plant located in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province. The existing pilot line manufactures such prototypes but do

April 25, 2023

EcoPro to build cathode plant in Hungary

South Korean battery materials firm EcoPro said Monday it is poised to build a cathode manufacturing plant in Hungary, seeking to establish its footing in the burgeoning European electric car market. Under the 382.7 billion won ($287.2 million) investment, the company plans to produce 108,000 tons of cathodes annually, capable of supplying some 1.35 million electric vehicles. The plant is set to start production in 2025 after completing construction next year. EcoPro’s subsidiaries lin

April 24, 2023

Hyundai Mobis seeks bigger presence in global markets

Hyundai Mobis, a car parts maker affiliated with Hyundai Motor Group, said Monday it reached a total of $46.5 billion in overseas orders last year, a record figure that nearly doubled on-year. Its unique sales strategy, among other things, has proved effective in appealing to global carmakers, the company said. Hyundai Mobis currently operates sales units in its key production bases globally and the extensive global network now helps it secure a footing in the burgeoning parts market for electri

April 24, 2023

Hankook Tire speeds up Chinese expansion

Hankook Tire & Technology said Monday that the South Korean tire maker inked a supply contract with Chinese all-electric vehicle manufacturer Leapmotor, expanding the company’s presence in one of the world’s biggest EV markets. According to the Korean company’s announcement, Leapmotor’s sports utility vehicle C11 will be equipped with Hankook Tire’s Ventus S1 evo3 ev, a high-performance tire specifically designed for EVs. The EV-tailored tire offers optimized fu

April 24, 2023

Hyundai Mobis to simplify parking with 90-degree four-wheel steering

Hyundai Mobis, a car parts maker affiliated with Hyundai Motor Group, said Sunday it has succeeded in demonstrating its upcoming self-driving technology, called e-Corner System, on public roads for the first time. The technology incorporates in-wheel motors, rotational steering and electronic braking in one module installed in the car wheels – the first of its kind globally. In a video unveiled by the company, Hyundai’s Ioniq 5, equipped with the module, completed tricky parking an

April 23, 2023

[Photo News] Kia at Milan Design Week

Karim Habib, Kia Corp.’s global head of design, looks around the carmaker’s exhibition booth themed “Opposites United” at the Milan Design Week 2023 in Italy, Friday. Kia was the only carmaker among the 12 finalists to be nominated for the Fuorisalone Award, a top prize given during the annual furnishing and design fair.

April 23, 2023

[Test drive] Porsche can make your heart beat faster

Ferry Porsche gave birth to the Porsche 356 ‘No. 1’ Roadster with his team in 1948, breathing life into his dream of the ideal sports car and marking the beginning of one of the most recognized auto brands in the world. The founder of Porsche said, “In the beginning, I looked around and could not find quite the car I dreamed of, so I decided to build it myself." Commemorating the 75th anniversary of the legendary brand’s establishment this year, Porsche has been cond

April 21, 2023

[Photo News] Upcycling air waste

South Korean low-cost carrier Jeju Air on Friday launched new merchandise made from decommissioned life vests as part of the company's efforts in achieving carbon neutrality. Collaborating with global upcycling brand Nukak, Jeju Air has released three products -- a passport wallet, travel bag and mini pouch -- available online.

April 21, 2023

Korean battery makers supply 8 out of 10 US tax eligible EVs

South Korean battery makers LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI and SK On have supplied batteries for roughly 8 out of 10 electric vehicle models eligible for US tax credits, industry sources said Thursday. Of the 22 electric vehicles, 17 models have installed Korea-made batteries, with LG Energy Solution topping the list with 11 models. LG’s list includes GM’s Cadillac Lyriq and Chevrolet Volt, Volt EUV, Equinox, Silverado and Blazer; Chrysler’s Pacifica PHEV. Ford counts the E-Tr

April 20, 2023