Automaker announces five-year W45tr investment plan for R&D, future technologies

 (Yonhap)SsangYong Motor President Choi Johng-sik (second from left) poses at an unveiling ceremony for the new Korando in Incheon, Tuesday. The new Korando comes four years after the company injected 350 billion won ($313 million) to roll out new model after the previous Korando C model, which was launched eight years ago. Choi said during a press conference that the company aims to bring Korando as one of company’s popular SUVs along with its Tivoli and Rexton.By Kim Da-sol (ddd@heraldcorp.com

France’s Peugeot may be less ubiquitous on the streets of South Korea compared to other rival imported brands from Germany or Japan. But the new Peugeot 508’s stylish look and premium feel are gaining popularity among drivers who want a less common and sleek design that can grab attention on roads filled with large SUVs. New Peugeot 506 (Peugeot)During a two-hour drive on Hallasan in Jeju, the new Peugeot 508 proved itself to be an adventurous sedan with urban French chicness. The vehicle was sm

Socar CEO Lee Jae-woong (Yonhap)Socar CEO Lee Jae-woong introduces the launch of a premium cab service version of Tada set for April, at a press conference in Seoul on Friday. Based on the rapid growth of the rental van-hailing service since last year, Lee said Tada Premium will invite taxi drivers and companies to join them in providing the premium cab service, starting with 100 vehicles for Seoul, to be expanded to 1,000 nationwide by the year’s end. Tada, which operates within the legal realm

KIA Motors has reached out to the K-pop industry, this time collaborating with JYP Entertainment’s rising new girl group ITZY in a music video.Kia Motors revealed on Thursday a behind-the-scenes video for ITZY’s debut music video, titled “Dalla Dalla,” featuring its new box car the Soul Booster. Members of ITZY stand in front of Kia Motors’ Soul Booster, featured in their debut music video, “Dalla Dalla." (Kia Motors)This is not the first time Kia Motors has partnered with a K-pop group. It is c

British luxury carmaker pledges to comply with ‘lemon law’ for ‘ultimate quality control’

The five-passenger QX50 compact crossover by Japanese automaker Nissan’s luxury car brand Infiniti hits the South Korean market Wednesday with a redesigned interior and exterior. The 2019 model features the 2.0L VC turbo engine with technology developed for the first time in the world’s combustion engine history, according to the company.  (Infiniti)The technology is based on a multilink system that automatically controls the range of the engine’s piston for optimized power and fuel efficiency,

An annual scholarship program for aspiring artists by Han Sung Motor, the largest official dealer of Mercedes-Benz, was launched for its 8th year on Tuesday, with 15 new recipients. The Dream Gream is a corporate social responsibility program initiated by the dealer in 2012. The project is dedicated to broaden the horizons of young artists, and offer them a chance to participate in the list of art shows, the company explained. Under this year’s theme, “Customize your story,” the Dream Gream scho

Kumho Tire has maintained its top position in South Korea’s replacement tire market for two years in a row, data from the Korea Tire Manufacturers Association showed Tuesday.Buoyed by consumer demand for premium tires and the launch of new tire products last year, Kumho Tire said it had recorded high sales of tires here.According to data from the association, Kumho Tire ranked No. 1 with sales of 6.52 million tires in 2018, accounting for 40.6 percent of locally produced tires sold in the countr

Taking a step closer to the company’s young workforce, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Vice Chairman Chung Eui-sun recently made a surprise video debut -- filming himself test-driving the Nexo, the fuel-cell electric vehicle that the company is betting on as the key to its future growth.In the video, a CEO message addressed to the carmaker’s midlevel employees, Chung drinks coffee and checks his “urgent email” while the vehicle is in self-driving mode.Hyundai Motor Group Executive Vice Chairman Ch

Kumho Tire Co., South Korea's second-largest tiremaker, said Thursday its vice president Jeon Dae-jin has been named its new chief executive officer.Kumho Tire, controlled by Chinese tiremaker Qingdao Doublestar Co., said its board members approved Jeon's promotion to president and appointed the 60-year-old as the new CEO. Jeon Dae-jin (Yonhap)Jeon has been serving as acting CEO for Kumho Tire since December following the resignation of former CEO Kim Jong-ho.Jeon joined Kumho Tire in 1984 and h

From left: Hyundai Motor Executive Vice Chairman Chung Eui-sun poses with PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, tournament host Tiger Woods, and Executive Vice President and global head of the Genesis brand Manfred Fitzgerald at the Genesis Open Championship held at the Riviera Country Club in California on Wednesday. Genesis, Hyundai Motor's luxury brand, is the title sponsor of the tournament. (Yonhap)The status of the Genesis Open will be elevated to an invitational tournament starting next year

JEJU -- With continued demand for larger sport utility vehicles here following changing lifestyles, more foreign carmakers are rolling in larger premium family models with upgraded functions and interior space.French automobile maker Peugeot is one of them. Earlier this year, the carmaker’s new 3008 and 5008 SUVs, which came back with larger space and multifunction steering wheels, hit the domestic market.  Peugeot 3008 and 5008 SUV (Hanbul Motors)The new five-seater 3008 SUV features the new EA

Hyundai Mobis Co., South Korea's top auto parts maker, said Wednesday that it has begun operations of a hydrogen fuel cell-based power generator.The generator employed at the company's Chungju factory, 147 kilometers southeast of Seoul, is equipped with fuel cells powering the midsize Nexo SUV. (Yonhap)The Nexo hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle is made by Hyundai Motor Co., a sister company of Hyundai Mobis. Both are affiliates of Hyundai Motor Group, the world's fifth-largest automotive congl

Hyundai Motor Group said Tuesday that six of its vehicles have won the iF Design Award this year, marking the fifth straight year its cars have received recognition.Hyundai Motor Co.'s new flagship Palisade SUV and Le Fil Rouge concept vehicle each won in the coveted automobiles/vehicles category at the annual competition. The Palisade is a high-end, three-row SUV that made its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show last year.  (Yonhap)Hyundai's Le Fil Rouge concept car was also showcased at the Gen