French carmaker Renault has opened a vehicle test center in Daegu, southeast of Seoul, in partnership with the city government and the Korea Intelligent Automotive Promotion Institute, the company said in a statement.The center, Renault’s first test unit in Asia, will test vehicles under development in the Asia-Pacific region, it added. Renault Samsung CEO Dominique Signora speaks at the opening ceremony of Renault’s vehicle test center in Daegu, Friday. (Renault Samsung)Vehicles to be tested in

General Motors has nominated Roberto Rempel, executive chief engineer for small SUVs and mini vehicles, as the head of its R&D unit that it plans to spin off despite opposition from unionized workers and the state-run Korea Development Bank, the second-largest shareholder of the US carmaker’s South Korean unit.Rempel has been stationed in Korea since 2015. Roberto Rempe (GM Korea)“Roberto Rempel’s experience and deep knowledge of GM’s global engineering and the engineering capability in Korea wi

The Seoul government said Wednesday that it has started the pilot operation of fuel-cell electric bus for a regular route, in an effort to test the viability of hydrogen-powered vehicles as public transportation in the city. The zero-emission bus developed by Hyundai Motor will travel from Yeomgok-dong, southern Seoul, to City Hall, four to five times a day. Five other major cities will also have a combined 30 hydrogen buses for pilot operations next year, said officials at the trade and environ

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) - Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn was reportedly under arrest in Tokyo on Monday, as his firm accused him of “significant acts of misconduct” and said it would seek to oust him.　Japan's public broadcaster NHK and other media outlets said Ghosn had been arrested after being questioned by Japanese prosecutors for various improprieties including underreporting his income.　“The Tokyo District Public Prosecutor’s Office arrested Nissan chairman Ghosn on suspicion of violation of the F

Hyundai’s own racing team ranked second in WRC

Starting in September 2019, Korea may change the look of its license plates for newly registered cars. Instead of six digits, the new plates under consideration would have seven. The Hangeul character that follows the second digit would instead follow the third. The addition of a digit would allow 210 million new cars to roam the country, a move the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport calls “ample preparation for the era of a reunified Korea.” The ministry is also considering a change

Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's biggest carmaker by sales, on Friday showcased an upgraded version of the Santa Fe sport utility vehicle in China as it is struggling to increase its sales in the world's largest automobile market. This photo shows Hyundai Motors Co.`s fourth-generation Santa Fe sport utility vehicle (SUV) introduced in China. (Yonhap)The fourth-generation Santa Fe SUV unveiled at the 16th China Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition is tailored to satisfy the needs of Chi

Hyundai Motor will invest in a US drone maker to conduct a joint study on future mobility in the use of high-functioning drones, the company said, without disclosing the size of the investment. The South Korean giant has agreed to partner with Top Flight Technologies, a startup that specializes in developing unmanned aerial vehicles. The US company established in 2014 is a leading manufacturer of hybrid propulsion engines that secure long flight time and a leader in autonomous flying technology.

Some say US hedge fund’s move intended to boost share prices, others call it ‘reasonable’ request

Nissan’s best-selling electric vehicle, the Leaf, has made a comeback in South Korea this month, with improved battery capacity and a sleeker look. The All-New Leaf, unveiled at the Daegu International Future Car Expo, is the second-generation model of the pure electric vehicle that debuted in December 2010.  All-New Leaf (Nissan Korea)As the best-selling EV brand in the world, this car has played a crucial role in dispelling concerns over electric vehicles and a lack of energy-supply infrastruc

Amid labor opposition, carmaker, Gwangju likely to hold final negotiation by Thursday

New Hyundai and Kia vehicles set to be released in Europe next year will feature high-tech connected car services enabled by the region’s biggest mobile carrier Vodafone, said South Korea’s No. 1 automobile group on Tuesday. Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors and Vodafone have set the goal of improving driving experiences for European customers by connecting vehicles using the internet of things technology, under a memorandum of understanding signed Monday.  From left: Nick Tunnel, executive director at

Lawmakers lambaste all sides in conflict over automaker’s R&D spinoff plan

With South Korea’s amended Automobile Management Act, known as the Korean lemon law, set to go into effect in January, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation introduced detailed guidelines for refund and exchange of defective cars Monday.　Vehicles that undergo more than “two major repairs” due to defects found in essential parts such as the motor, driveline or brakes within a year from delivery with less than 20,000 kilometers driven are subject to refund or exchange under the n

Amid Hyundai Motor’s efforts to capitalize on its fuel cell electric vehicles, its Executive Vice Chairman Chung Eui-sun zoomed in on hydrogen energy as a key economic and social solution for clean mobility at a forum in Singapore last week, the company said Sunday.As the global automotive industry and governments search for clean mobility, Hyundai Motor has been trying to promote hydrogen cars as the ultimate eco-friendly transportation.After attending the forum, Chung flew to China, where he a