Articles by Hong Yoo
Hong Yoo
yoohong@heraldcorp.com-
[Test Drive] Volvo C40 Recharge: Sporty, fun but pricey
Simple but sporty is how Volvo’s first all-electric SUV Coupe, the C40 Recharge, can be best described. The first impression of C40 Recharge is that it looks very similar to the brand’s first pure electric compact SUV XC40 Recharge, both from the outside and inside. But on a closer look, the C40 Recharge design has added a spoonful of sportiness. Volvo got rid of XC40’s roof and instead, it let the roof line slip toward the back to make it more aerodynamic and energy efficie
Mobility March 15, 2022
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[Test Drive] Electrified Mini adds comfort in city driving
For Mini Cooper fans, it’s likely the car’s iconic design is enough for them to put up with the notorious bumpy ride. The electrified compact vehicle, however, dispels such worries. Like any other EVs, the Mini Cooper SE Electric offers a smooth driving experience in a quieter atmosphere. Not just because of the 32.6 kWh battery that replaces the gasoline-powered powertrain but also because of the lower center of gravity, 30 millimeters lower than the standard Cooper -- a significa
Mobility March 14, 2022
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SsangYong Motor’s creditors to request rebidding
SsangYong Motor’s creditors will be requesting a rebidding of the merger and acquisition of the carmaker next Tuesday, according to SsangYong Motors. The debt-laden SsangYong Motors confirmed that creditors had brought up the prospect of looking for a new owner instead of completing the M&A procedure with the bidder Edison Motors for a while. South Korean electric carmaker Edison Motors had stepped closer to acquiring major stakes in SsangYong Motor in January after the two firms cli
Mobility March 9, 2022
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Hyundai Ioniq 5 named UK car of the year
Hyundai Motor’s all-electric Ioniq 5 was named the UK car of the year, for its stylish design, power efficiency and practicality as a family car, the company said Tuesday. Ioniq 5 took the throne after being awarded the top prize in the Best Family Car category, beating out nine other UK car of the year category winners. Among the top 10 finalists were Fiat 500-e, Skoda Fabia, Kia Ceed, Genesis G70 Shooting Brake, Toyota Yaris Cross, Skoda Enyaq, BMW iX, Porsche Taycan, and Hyundai i20N.
Mobility March 8, 2022
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Hyundai begins sales of the latest 2022 Avante
Hyundai Motor announced Tuesday that it will officially begin sales of the latest 2022 model of Avante, its compact sedan. The 2022 Avante comes with enhanced sound-absorbing doors and with more basic and extra options. The model will have 8-inch display audio in all trims, which before was only applied on its ‘smart’ trim. Hyundai added extra options such as ‘Smart Sense 3’ which includes rear collision prevention assistance and safety exit warning, as well as the cho
Mobility March 8, 2022
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Tesla’s cylindrical battery could be ‘game-changer’: report
Tesla’s new tab-less cylindrical battery cell has the potential to become a game-changer in the electric vehicle industry, according to the Korea Automotive Technology Institute (KATECH). The KATECH released an industry trend report on Monday that said the EV market must prepare for what is to come after Tesla starts mass producing its 4680 batteries. Tesla’s 4680 battery is 46 millimeters in diameter and 80 millimeters in length, and offers six times the power of the carmaker&rsqu
Mobility March 7, 2022
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Hyundai Motor makes its entry to used car market official
Hyundai Motor, South Korea‘s largest carmaker, made its entry to the local secondhand car market official on Monday, after facing opposition from small- and medium-sized dealers in the market for years. The company will only sell high-quality certified used cars that have been driven less than 100,000 kilometers and owned for less than five years for customer satisfaction, it said. All cars to be sold must go through performance tests and maintenance service provided by the automaker and
Mobility March 7, 2022
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Number of EV taxis surges as driving ranges get longer
The number of newly registered electric taxis has surged to some 5,000 last year, as more taxi drivers are increasingly opting for EVs with better driving range. According to the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association on Sunday, a total of 4,991 EV taxis were registered last year, which is a 453.9 percent jump from a year ago. The number increased rapidly last year compared to previous years. The number of new EV taxis was 1,018 in 2019 and 901 in 2020. The business lobby cited increase
Industry March 6, 2022
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Genesis GV60 gets remote software updates
Hyundai Motor’s standalone luxury brand Genesis announced Sunday that it is offering an “over-the-air” software update for its GV60 model that was launched last October. The software update will enhance the car’s advanced driver assistance system by improving forward and backward collision warnings, parking distance warnings, and remote smart parking assist features. With GV60, drivers will be able to download the updated software “over-the-air” while drivin
Mobility March 6, 2022
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High oil prices deepens woes for air carriers
South Korea’s aviation industry is set to take another hit after years of pandemic losses, as oil prices are soaring amid the escalating Ukraine conflict, driving up their fuel prices and operating costs overall. According to the air industry on Thursday, Brent crude oil jumped $5.93 to $111.19 per barrel on Wednesday night, its highest level since July 2014. The reason behind the price increase is due to a high possibility that western countries including the US might impose sanctions
Mobility March 3, 2022
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Jungheung chairman vows to nurture Daewoo E&C into top builder
Jungheung Group Chairman Jung Chang-sun vowed Wednesday he would nurture Daewoo Engineering & Construction to become a top builder, as the acquisition process has recently been successfully completed. “We finalized the M&A process on Feb. 28 and this day will become a historic day for Daewoo E&C to start anew,” Jung said in his message to employees. “Now, as a family of Jungheung Group, we will take another big leap forward together.” In December last year,
Industry March 2, 2022
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Hyundai Motor halts production in Russia for 5 days
Hyundai Motor has shut down its manufacturing plant in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Tuesday for five days, citing a semiconductor shortage, the company's headquarters in Seoul confirmed. “The plant will be shut down temporarily due to supply disruption caused by a semiconductor shortage,“ an industry official said. "The decision has nothing to do with Russia and Ukraine.” According to local reports, the carmaker has also stopped its car deliveries to dealers. Hyundai sold
Industry March 1, 2022
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Posco to invest W5tr in Gwangyang steel mill
Posco Group will invest 5 trillion won ($4.1 billion) in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, one of the steel giant’s two production bases, for the next three years, according to industry sources Tuesday. This year alone, an estimated 1.7 trillion won will be invested to beef up production of eco-friendly high-strength steels like electrical steels for cars, as well as to expand overall production capacity at the steelmaking complex in the region. Sources say the new investment plan come
Industry March 1, 2022
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Kia EV6 becomes first Korean car to be named European Car of the Year
Kia announced Tuesday that its first dedicated electric vehicle EV6 has become the first South Korean car to be named the Car of the Year in the European Car of the Year awards. EV6 took the throne, beating out over 60 models launched in 2021 listed as candidates for the 2022 Car of the Year. Among the top seven finalists were Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Skoda Enyaq iV, Cupra Born, Renault Megane E-Tech and Peugeot 308. The Car of the Year was chosen by 61 auto journalists from 23
Mobility March 1, 2022
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S. Korea remains 5th in global car production: KAMA
South Korea was the fifth-largest country in the world in terms of auto production last year, keeping its rank for the second consecutive year despite the chip shortage-triggered decrease in car manufacturing, data showed Monday. According to the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association, the country produced some 3.46 million cars, a 1.3 percent decrease from the year before. KAMA explained that despite a global shortage of semiconductors, South Korea was able to minimize the decrease in out
Industry Feb. 28, 2022
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