Volvo Cars Korea said Monday that it has introduced a lifetime auto parts warranty for customers -- the first such guarantee by a carmaker here -- as part of its efforts to improve customer services. The service will allow customers to receive repairs on auto parts that have been changed at its official after sales service center, regardless of the number of times they have received the service and how long they have had the car. Those who have changed auto parts after June 1 and have agree

Mobility June 1, 2020

Hyundai Motor Group said Sunday it has signed a memorandum of understanding with photovoltaic solar cells manufacturer Hanwha Q Cells for energy storage systems to use recyclable batteries from electric vehicles.  The two firms held an MOU signing ceremony on Friday, which was attended by Hyundai Motor Group President and head of Strategy and Technology Division Chi Young-cho and Hanwha Q Cells President Kim Hee-chul attended.  Amid the expanding ratio of renewable energy use such a

Mobility May 31, 2020

Japanese carmaker Nissan said Thursday that it has decided to shut down its business operations in South Korea from 2021, as part of its global business restructuring strategy. According to its local unit, the decision was made by the headquarters to “secure a healthy profit model and establish a ground for sustainable business.” The automaker said despite its efforts to sustain business in Korea, the situation has deteriorated due to internal and external factors. “(The he

Business May 28, 2020

Hyundai Motor Group said Thursday it has clinched a partnership deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment to allow customers experience its future mobility and new technologies via the latter’s platforms such as movies, animations and digital contents.  According to the automaker, its latest mobility technology will be featured in Sony Pictures’ movie “Uncharted” and “Spider Man 3,” which will be released in July 2021 and November 2021, respectively. 

Mobility May 28, 2020

Hyundai Mobis, an auto parts making affiliate of Hyundai Motor Group, said Wednesday that it would invest 1 trillion won ($810 million) this year in some 2,000 research and development projects for future mobility, as part of its effort to secure competitiveness as a sustainable company.  Under the plan, its workforce for research and development will expand to some 5,000, the company said. Marking the 20th anniversary after changing the company name to Hyundai Mobis, the company mapped

Mobility May 27, 2020

Kia Motors’ European subsidiary said Wednesday it plans to launch a micro-size electric vehicle that can replace public transportation amid increased preference for use of private vehicles following the COVID-19 pandemic. “People want to feel safe today. We saw that very clearly from a survey that was done after the coronavirus outbreak in China. People started shifting from public transport to private vehicles. They safer in their own car compared to public transport,” KIA M

Mobility May 27, 2020

South Korean air carriers suffering from the impact of COVID-19 outbreak plan to gradually relaunch their international routes from next month but worries linger over prospects of a business recovery, according to industry sources Tuesday. Low-cost carrier Jin Air said Tuesday that it is resuming five international routes including Incheon-Bangkok, Incheon-Hanoi, Incheon-Taipei, Incheon-Narita and Incheon-Osaka from next month. It comes two months after it suspended the routes over the virus p

Mobility May 26, 2020

South Korean tire manufacturer Kumho Tire said Monday that it bagged a supply deal for Spanish automaker SEAT’s flagship model Ibiza.  The company said Kumho Tire’s Ecowing ES31 185/65R 15 88H is being supplied to SEAT’s bestselling compact hatchback Ibiza since November 2019.  SEAT is the only automaker in Spain, which is owned by the Volkswagen Group. It is known to have Italian design and German technology prowess, according to Kumho Tire. Named after a Spanish

Mobility May 25, 2020

Mercedes-Benz Korea said Monday that it has launched an upgraded third-generation version of its flagship sport utility vehicle the new GLS here.  The seven-seater SUV was first introduced in Korea in October 2016.  “The new GLS will suit the active lifestyle of high-end customers, as it can be dubbed as the S-Class of SUV,” said Mark Raine, vice president of product and marketing at Mercedes-Benz Korea during the unveiling ceremony. S-Class refers to the automaker&rsqu

Mobility May 25, 2020

More often than not, when automakers launch their face-lifted models as something “new,” there are little design or functional changes, only a price increase. But that is not the case with SsangYong Motor’ relaunched subcompact flagship sport utility vehicle in April. Its upgraded Re:spec edition came with dramatically changed interiors and is fully equipped with a connected car service, with little price increase. The name Re:spec stands for the automaker’s “res

Mobility May 25, 2020

South Korean carriers are moving to relaunch their long-waited international routes as well as expand domestic flights, slowly recovering from the impact of COVID-19 outbreak, industry sources said Friday. According to the country’s largest LCC by sales Jeju Air, it will resume operation of Incheon-Manila route once a week from June 6.  The airliner said it was due to the demand from Korean residents living in the Philippines.  Jeju Air currently runs service to three oversea

Mobility May 22, 2020

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Friday that it would recall 549,931 units of 126 models from automakers including Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors, BMW Korea, Mercedes-Benz Korea, FCA Korea and Audi Volkswagen Korea over defects.  According to the ministry, 294,622 Hyundai Motor vehicles, including Santa Fes, were found to have foreign substances like oil and moisture inside their braking modules. The defect poses a fire hazard, the ministry said.  Cracks were found

Mobility May 22, 2020

Kia Motors said Thursday it is making all-out efforts to break through export woes amid the COVID-19 pandemic by enhancing online sales and services platforms for overseas customers. In this context, Kia Motors President Song Ho-sung visited Pyeongtaek Port, the country’s main gateway for automotive exports, to check the product quality and encourage workers, the automaker said. “The current economic situation is definitely a crisis due to COVID-19, but all divisions at Kia Motors

Mobility May 21, 2020

SsangYong Motors, one of South Korea’s five major automakers, has been refused by its financial auditor to deliver an opinion on its ability to survive, after posting swelling losses for the 13th consecutive quarter last week. But an official from the carmaker told The Korea Herald that it does not plan to appeal the decision, given that it was based on its latest quarterly report, not an annual report, and does not require appealing to prevent delisting. According to the automaker&rsqu

Mobility May 18, 2020

BMW Korea said Monday that its new models of 5 and 6 series sedans will be unveiled at the world premiere taking place in South Korea on May 27, the first time an imported carmaker here is hosting the world premiere here. The carmaker said, it will also be the first time for a foreign automaker to reveal the new model series -- not just a specific trim of the new models -- in the country, apart showcasing two world premiere models at once. BMW Korea said it has decided to hold the world premi

Mobility May 18, 2020