Stefan Krapp, head of Volkswagen Korea, poses with the automaker’s brand new logo and design unveiled on Wednesday.  According to VW Korea, the new logo indicates the company’s goal to become “New Volkswagen,” under its core brand values: human-focused and digital-centered.  Krapp said during the logo unveiling ceremony that the company will make VW become “a more friendly brand that anyone can have access to.”  The new logo will be applied

Mobility April 22, 2020

Korean Air, the main cash cow for the transport and logistics company Hanjin Group, has sold a housing complex it built for its employees on Jeju Island, industry sources said Wednesday. The move was seen as a way to secure capital amid a liquidity crisis stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.  The airline reportedly clinched a contract worth 40 billion won ($32 million) for the complex, which comprises 22 two-story houses on 9,450.9 square meters in the Yeon-dong neighborhood. The buyer&rs

Mobility April 22, 2020

The five major Korean carmakers and auto parts makers on Tuesday asked the government for liquidity support for the automobile industry, which has been hit hard by low sales amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and measures to boost domestic demand. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Minister Sung Yun-mo met with representatives of the country’s automakers, including Hyundai Motor Group President Gong Young-woon, Kia Motors President Song Ho-sung, SsangYong Motors President

Mobility April 21, 2020

Kia Motors said Monday that it has launched upgraded versions of its signature midsized sedans the K3 and K3 GT, targeting young drivers in their 20s and 30s. The automaker said the latest models offer features that customers in their 20s and 30s prefer, as well as competitive prices.  The 2021 K3 is available in three trims: standard, prestige and signature. A button-type smart key to start the car and artificial leather seats have been applied to all trims, the company said.  For

Mobility April 20, 2020

Petroleum and refinery firm S-Oil said Monday that it has delivered 100 million won ($82,000) to the Heart to Heart Orchestra, an orchestra founded in 2006 to nurture musicians with developmental disabilities.  The company said the donation would be used to provide musical education for teenagers with developmental disabilities from low-income families, as well as to raise awareness about disability rights among elementary, middle and high school students. The funds will also support the

Industry April 20, 2020

As continued losses in the second quarter are expected for the aviation industry over COVID-19 pandemic, the South Korean government is expected to roll out an upgraded support measure for cash-strapped air carriers this week, according to the government sources on Sunday.  According to the government, the fifth round of emergency economic council meetings presided over by President Moon Jae-in is set to take place this week.  President Moon has been reiterating the need to support

Mobility April 19, 2020

South Korean air carriers have resumed their domestic operations for the spring travel season, according to industry sources Thursday.  While resumption of international flights is uncertain over prolonging concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic, local air carriers are planning to reopen flight services to popular tourism destinations across the nation, such as Jeju Island. According to budget airline Jeju Air, it has newly launched Gimpo-Yeosu and Yeosu-Jeju routes on Thursday. The routes wi

Mobility April 16, 2020

Korean Air has suspended its in-flight beverage service for passengers on domestic flights, according to industry sources Thursday.  Free beverages -- including water, soda, coffee and tea -- have been suspended as the Transport Ministry recently requested airlines to minimize the number of passengers taking off their face masks in flights, in order to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection. Korean Air said it will not provide beverages on domestic routes. Another full-service carrier

Mobility April 16, 2020

Renault Samsung Motors and GM Korea have concluded wage deals with unionized workers -- a positive sign for the struggling automotive industry amid the COVID-19 outbreak -- but there are still hurdles, considering the ongoing global economic downturn and unstable management-labor union ties, industry sources said Wednesday.  According to Renault Samsung, 70.2 percent of the unionized workers voted to accept a wage freeze and cash bonuses of 8.88 million won ($7,320) per person for 2019. T

Mobility April 15, 2020

The dampened economic situation is forcing South Korea’s top automaker Hyundai Motor Group to shut down facilities globally following weakened exports and restrictive regulations in major markets, according to industry sources Tuesday.  The business disruption in the auto industry is also hitting tire manufacturers, with major Korean companies suspending overseas plant operations. Hyundai said Tuesday that it has decided to extend the shutdown of its manufacturing plant in Turkey t

Mobility April 14, 2020

Renault Samsung said Tuesday that it has added a connected function to customer membership mobile applications My Renault Samsung and My Renault to expand its “untact” service -- without face-to-face contact.  The apps allow customers to check information on the car, review membership benefits, reserve maintenance or after service online and conduct one-on-one chat on customer service.  The new connected functions enable remote control of the vehicle and search of c

Mobility April 14, 2020

Hyundai Motor’s luxury brand Genesis launched a revamped third-generation G80 on March 30, seven years after the previous version was launched in 2013.  After releasing G70 in 2017 and the brand’s first sport utility vehicle GV80 earlier this year, Genesis has been diversifying its vehicle lineup to attract a wider range of customers.  As the flagship model, the latest G80 represents and cements Genesis’ brand identity. The Korea Herald had an opportunity to test

Mobility April 14, 2020

Porsche Korea said Friday that it has donated 200 million won ($166,000) to ChildFund Korea with its four authorized dealer partners -- Stuttgart Sports Cars, Autostadt, Deutsch Auto Co. and Yongsan Sports Automobile -- for coronavirus relief efforts. The donation will be used under two categories “Porsche Do Dream Safe Kit” and “Porsche Do Dream Safe Fund.” Recipients will be children in low-income families and vulnerable groups who have been experiencing difficulties

Mobility April 10, 2020

Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don visited Renault Samsung’s Busan plant Friday to encourage workers amid the continued economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. According to the automaker, Oh also met with Renault Samsung CEO Dominique Signora and the labor union, vowing to support them to overcome the current crisis. Renault Samsung said that he appreciated workers at the facility for working hard and focusing on manufacturing major vehicle lineups.  He also discussed with Signora

Mobility April 10, 2020

Kia Motors’ midsized, eight-seat sport utility vehicle the Telluride is the 2020 World Car of the Year. This is the first time the Korean auto brand has won the top award. The automaker also took home the World Urban Car award for its subcompact crossover the Soul EV, which beat the Volkswagen T-Cross and the Mini Cooper SE Electric.  The Toronto-based World Car Awards, launched in 2004, are one of three major global automotive award programs, the others being the North American Ca

Mobility April 9, 2020