Through curvy Andalusian mountains, GLB variants shows why Benz went with 7-seater compact SUV

More than a half of new cars manufactured by South Korean carmakers Hyundai and Kia sold in US were sport utility vehicles, reaching the highest mark since they launched operations in the world’s second-largest auto market, the companies said Sunday. Of the 1.2 million vehicles Hyundai and its smaller affiliate Kia sold as of November, 668,328 units or 55.4 percent of the total were SUV, from 30.9 percent in 2013. The number of SUVs sold by November already has surpassed the figure for las

In addition to Seltos, Kia plans to launch MPV, subcompact SUV next year to target world’s fourth-largest auto market

Automaker aims to transform itself into ‘smart mobility solution provider’

Daimler Mobility -- a subsidiary of Daimler Group, which owns Mercedes-Benz -- officially kicked off operations in South Korea on Tuesday, offering a long-term car rental program. Mercedes-Benz Mobility Korea is the first of its kind globally and the fourth entity of the Daimler Group to launch operations in Korea. The company said it will offer a tailor-made mobility product under its concept of “mobility at your fingertips.”“We will offer one- to five-year long-term

Renault Samsung, a South Korean subsidiary of the French carmaker, sold 5,648 units of its sport utility vehicle QM6 in November, up 50 percent from the same month last year, the company said Monday.It was the first time since 2016 that sales of the QM6 surpassed the 5,000 mark. It ranked second in the mid-sized SUV segment, after Hyundai Motor’s Santa Fe, added the company. Driven by growing interest in vehicles powered by liquefied petroleum gas, 3,626 units of the QM6 LPe were sold

Seven distributors of foreign car brands in South Korea are voluntarily recalling more than 12,000 vehicles over faulty parts, the Ministry of Transport said Monday.Audi Volkswagen Korea, FCA Korea, Porsche Korea, Scania Korea, Bike Korea, Moto Rossa and Hanbul Motor -- which imports Peugeot and Citroen vehicles -- will recall 12,053 units of 16 models.VW’s Tiguan was found to have a faulty air bag while Peugeot 5008 1.5 BlueHDi SUV reported problems with the spare tire holder. Defects in

Kim Dong-kwan, the eldest son of Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn, has been promoted as the vice president of Hanwha Q Cells and Advanced Materials, the conglomerate’s solar panel maker.The 36-year-old chaebol scion has been serving as the chief commercial officer and a senior executive of Hanwha Q Cells for four years. Officials said he was promoted in recognition of his contributions in raising the company’s profile as the world’s leading photovoltaic panel manufacture. H

A corporate social responsibility project by Han Sung Motor, the largest official dealer of Mercedes-Benz in South Korea, will join the 2019 Seoul Design Festival that kicks off Wednesday for a five-day run.Taking place at Coex in southern Seoul, the annual event invites prominent designers, design brands and companies to exchange their artistic talents and to support local designers in making international debuts. Recipients of Han Sung’s Dream Gream scholarship program will demonstr

Top executives attend first court hearing to argue case

German carmaker’s chief in Korea says 2020 crucial for its rebirth here, positive on launching mobility services, EV growth

Hyundai Glovis said Thursday it has launched two joint ventures in China to make a foray into the local used car and shipping markets.The subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group and Beijing Changjiu Logistics have set up two separate JVs -- Beijing Changjiu Glovis Automobile Service and Shanghai Changjiu Glovis Shipping. The two JVs will be launched early next year, the company said without disclosing the size of investments.The first JV seeks to target China’s growing secondhand car market, whi

Mercedes-Benz Korea said Thursday that it has delivered its new EQC to the model’s first customer in South Korea. The vehicle, launched here Oct. 22, is the German carmaker’s first full electric vehicle under the EQ brand.The delivery ceremony at the EQ Future Pavilion in Seoul’s Sinsa-dong was attended by Lee Sang-kuk, vice president of sales at Mercedes-Benz Korea, and Mark Raine, the company’s vice president of products and marketing. They delivered the new EQC to

YEONGJONGDO, Incheon -- BMW Group Korea said Tuesday it will expand its research and development center in South Korea and increase its partnerships with local firms.BMW Finance board member Nicolas Peter told reporters that the German carmaker plans to strengthen its R&D center here by relocating and hiring 13 additional employees to have 29 staff in total.But the company did not clarify the exact scale or funding for the expansion.“We will invest in a new location for our R&D Cen

Hyundai Motor Group has received the green light to begin construction of its new headquarters, dubbed the Global Business Center, in Samseong-dong in Seoul in the first half of next year. Targeting for 2026 completion, the automaker said it has reached a phased agreement deal with the Defense Ministry and received municipal approval.The project was initially scheduled to start construction in December 2016 but it hit a snag for years due to concerns over national safety in cases of air-to-