HEDELFINGEN, Germany -- At Mercedes-Benz’s battery production facility in Hedelfingen, Stuttgart, a group of Korean reporters was recently given a close-up look at how the automaker assembles the battery packs that power its flagship electric vehicles, the EQS and EQE. The visit offered a rare glimpse into the detailed, highly automated process that Mercedes-Benz takes on to ensure the reliability of its EV batteries. “Every little part is recorded and can be kept for up to 30 years

Carmaker hints at partnerships with Toyota, GM to boost mass-market appeal of hydrogen-powered vehicles

Korean automaker Kia said Thursday that it has donated a 2025 Carnival, the automaker's latest edition of its signature nine-seat minivan, to the parents of quintuplets in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province. The quintuplets -- two girls and three boys -- were born Sept. 20. The automaker also donated 30 million won ($21,800) to the city of Dongducheon to support households with more than one child, as the country struggles with a low birth rate. (Hyundai Motor Group)

SINDELFINGEN, Germany -- A bright orange Mercedes EQS 450 electric sedan sped down a spotless track, reaching 64 kilometers per hour before slamming into a massive concrete wall. The front end crumpled like a soda can, but a bright ring of 72 lights immediately illuminated the wreck as high-speed cameras captured every millisecond from all angles. On Oct. 22, Mercedes let a group of reporters from South Korea witness a full-scale crash test up close at its Vehicle Safety Technology Center in S

In response to South Korea’s surging appetite for luxury SUVs, Volkswagen is doubling down with an upgraded Touareg that emphasizes advanced technology and understated elegance. Launched in August, the third-generation 2024 Touareg positions Volkswagen to compete in a market where SUVs now dominate imported car sales, driven by demand for both versatility and premium features. The third-generation 2024 Touareg has received a subtle design makeover that focuses on clean lines and understate

Bentley Motors Korea launched two of its most powerful and luxurious coupes in the Korean market: the fourth-generation Continental GT Speed and the Continental GTC Speed, its convertible counterpart, at Bentley Seoul Gangnam on Wednesday. The new Continental GT Speed is the most powerful street-legal vehicle in Bentley's history -- a term used for extremely high-performance cars that are still legal to drive on regular roads, unlike racing cars. Bentley has equipped both models with a plu

Samsung SDI unveiled details on its first electric vehicle battery production in the US in partnership with Stellantis and General Motors during its third-quarter earnings announcement Wednesday. “The joint venture with Stellantis, Starplus Energy, marks Samsung SDI’s first foray into battery cell manufacturing in the US,” said Son Michael, executive vice president of automotive & ESS business at Samsung SDI, during a conference call earlier in the day. “The initial p

Hyundai Motor teases the Ioniq 9, their newest electric offering in the large sport utility vehicle market. The design is inspired by the smooth lines of a boat, slashing air resistance and boosting the SUV’s efficiency. The teaser hints at a flowing roofline for increased headroom and a silhouette that suggests a spacious cabin. Hyundai will fully reveal the Ioniq 9 next month. (Hyundai Motor Company)

Longer international flights are being added at Gimhae International Airport, starting with a new route to Bali, Indonesia, the Busan city government said Tuesday. Starting Wednesday, flights to Bali operated by Air Busan will take off four times a week from the Busan airport. This is the first regular flight longer than 5,000 kilometers to be scheduled from an airport outside Seoul and Incheon. Until now, the farthest destination served by Gimhae Airport was Singapore, around 4,600 kilometers f

Korea’s top battery maker to start production of advanced 46-series cylindrical batteries in December

Global automakers, including Hyundai Motor, Toyota and General Motors, are urging the US government to delay new restrictions on Chinese-made parts used in connected vehicles. The proposed regulations, which aim to limit Chinese and Russian components in vehicles with advanced communication and autonomous driving features, are raising concerns not only among automakers but also from Mexico, where many companies affected by the rules have invested in production facilities. According to Reuters on

Kia’s first-ever pickup, the Tasman, is unlikely to debut in the US, the world’s largest pickup truck market, largely due to lower profitability amid protectionist policies there. “We do not have plans to sell the Tasman pickups in the US because of the hefty tariffs imposed on Korea-made pickups under the free trade agreement between the two nations,” a Kia official told The Korea Herald at the Tasman’s media unveiling event in Seoul on Monday. The official also

Mercedes-Benz executives stress rigorous quality controls during rare media roundtable with Korean reporters

Mercedes-Benz announced Monday that it is upgrading its automated driving system, Drive Pilot, allowing it to operate at speeds of up to 95 kilometers per hour on German motorways. The upgrade is expected to be available in early 2025, following this year’s anticipated approval from Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority. With this update, Drive Pilot will become the fastest Level 3 automated driving system in a production vehicle. The enhanced system will allow drivers to hand

Hyundai Motor and Toyota -- two of the world's largest automakers -- organized the Hyundai N x Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival at the Everland Speedway in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, Sunday. The two companies said they aimed to offer an event to delight motorsports fans. The event featured driving performances by professional racers, an exhibition of high-performance vehicles from the two brands and opportunities to ride along on the racing track. In this photo, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Ch