[THE INVESTOR] South Korean carmakers are seeking market expansion in Europe through the upcoming Paris Motor Show, by unveiling an array of new cars and concept vehicles targeting consumers sensitive to environment issues and fuel efficiency.

The nation’s largest automaker Hyundai Motor is set to bring both the new hatchback i30 and Ioniq lines of energy-efficient cars to the show. 



But the company remains undecided on its main concept for the show, an official said, adding that Hyundai is still contemplating whether to put the high-performing hatchback at the forefront or the zero emission compact cars.

The progress of electric cars development is widely expected to dominate the show. The Paris show kicks off on Oct. 2 for a two-week run.

But Hyundai is highly likely to choose the i30 and take the hatchback’s brand as a high-performance vehicle for its main concept for the show, the official said. Hyundai’s i30 is a base model for its high-performance N Brand created to compete with its global rivals, and it has spent a lot for the hatchback’s sales in Europe, he added.

The new hatchback is a newer version of the old i30 unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2011. It comes with a 1.4 liter and 1.6 liter turbocharged engine, all equipped with a dual clutch transmission and a high capacity brake disc. Its design and performance have been upgraded, led by the carmaker’s test center in Nurburgring, Germany and its Europe-based design center, to capture European motorists in favor of hatchbacks for larger loading and fuel efficiency.

Its sister company Kia Motors is also set to unveil the next-generation compact car Rio in Paris.

The carmaker will be presenting the all-new, fourth-generation Rio, known as Pride in South Korea, for first time in five years for the global audience. Dynamic both in design and performance, the 1 liter car will have an emergency brake system for enhanced safety and android auto and Apple’s car play for richer entertainment. The compact is also a hatchback with a 325 liter-space trunk.

Prior to the show, Ssangyong Motors also unveiled a rendering of a large premium sports utility vehicle.

Codenamed the LIV-2, the concept previews a premium SUV, possibly the next-generation Rexton.

The project is aimed at enhancing Ssangyong’s brand as a premium SUV maker in Europe, the carmaker’s spokesman said.

Despite the European market sensitive to emissions and fuel efficiency, the South Korean carmaker owned by the Mahindra has seen a more than 10 percent of sales growth in the market. Europe is crucial for the carmaker as its exports to the region accounts for 20-30 percent of its global sales, the official added.

By Cho Chung-un (christory@heraldcorp.com)