GM Korea, the South Korean unit of General Motors, said Friday that it remains committed to its plans to develop and manufacture its new subcompact sport utility vehicle and crossover utility vehicle in Korea.The statement came in response to a local news report claiming that GM Technical Center Korea would retain rights over the new CUV but would transfer global engineering rights over the subcompact SUV to China. This would mean that the new SUV model is unlikely to be manufactured in Korea as

Automaker turns to ASEAN, India instead

South Korean steel giant Posco said Thursday it has decided not to pursue the acquisition of a local electric vehicle parts maker, saying that it does not fit into its battery business.The company was eyeing KCFT, formerly known as LS Mtron, which manufactures copper foils and flexible copper clad laminates for lithium-ion batteries. “For expanding our secondary battery business, we had reviewed (the feasibility) of acquiring the copper foil maker, but decided not to pursue the case anymore beca

Niro, Kia Motors’ environment-friendly sports utility vehicle launched in 2016, made a comeback Thursday, featuring a new driving assistance system and upgraded design with bold, futuristic feels.The New Niro’s new safety features include Kia’s driving assistance program brand Drive Wise. It was developed by the automaker to offer options including stop-and-go capability for the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist functions.Kia said the lane following assist function will work on all

Hyundai Motor unveiled the eighth-generation new Sonata on Wednesday with drastic design changes and a “smart” engine.The Korean automaker said the new Sonata’s design, dubbed Sensuous Sportiness, was inspired by last year’s Le Fil Rouge concept that was first unveiled during the Geneva Motor Show. The new Sonata (Hyundai Motor)The new Sonata’s change can be recognized from its exterior design, the carmaker said, which has adopted a coupe-like frame, sloping roofline and low deck lid to make the

Volvo Korea launched its new crossover V60 in Korea on Tuesday as its first market in Asia, with the aim of continuing its popularity along with its best-selling XC60.Amid increasing demand for SUVs, Volvo Korea said its new V60 Cross Country -- which combines the comfort of driving a sedan and the driving performance of an SUV -- was built based on the module platform called Scalable Product Architecture.  The V6 Cross Country (Volvo Korea)The second-generation Cross Country V60 is now 74 milli

In response to the increasing popularity of car sharing, Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors announced Monday the development of a smartphone-based digital key that allows multiple users to start, operate and control a single vehicle with smartphones.The newly developed technology allows users to access vehicles without the need for a smart key. The digital key installed in a smartphone allows the driver total access to the car, and the feature will be implemented in upcoming car models, the company sa

The share of environment-friendly vehicles jumped to 8.2 percent of South Korea's passenger car market last year on government subsidies and changing consumer appetite, a car industry association said Sunday. In 2018, the number of environment-friendly vehicles, such as hybrid electric, all-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell electric models, reached 124,979 units, jumping 26 percent from a year earlier, the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association said in a statement.  (Yonhap)The 8.2-percent sha

South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor and its sibling company Kia Motors said they decided to recall around 534,000 vehicles in the US after discovering a risk of engine fires.The company said it was recalling 378,000 Kia Soul vehicles produced from 2012 to 2016, as high exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter, which could then cause abnormal combustion that could damage the piston and connecting rod and eventually lead to oil leaks. Some 155,000 2011-2013 Tucson vehicles and

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’