BMW INTRODUCES BMW X1 -- BMW Korea launched the second-generation X1 with more interior space, a new heads-up display and a parking assist program. The 4 wheel-drive sports activity vehicle is priced from 56.3 million won ($45,300). BMW Korea 　VOLKSWAGEN LAUNCHES POLO PREMIUM -- Volkswagen Korea launched the Polo Premium, a redesigned version of its popular compact hatchback, Polo. Embracing the latest downsizing trend, the car is installed with a 1.4-liter turbocharged direct injection engine a

The Tivoli Air will be introduced as the XLV during the Geneva International Motor Show next month.Two vehicles of Ssangyong Motor -- the XLV and the concept car SIV-2 -- will make their global debuts during the Geneva International Motor Show slated for March 3-13 in Switzerland.The eXciting smart-Lifestyle Vehicle is the extended version of Ssangyong‘s best-selling compact sport utility vehicle. It is scheduled for an unveiling at a press briefing ahead on March 1. The car, destined to be sold

Tivoli, Ssangyong's compact SUV, was selected as the best family car in Belgium.　For marketers, the car industry is one of the most difficult sectors as no single factor determines customers’ decision to buy one of their biggest assets. While some consumers focus on the design of a car, others are obsessed with the emblem of luxury car brands. 　For those in their 20s and 30s whose wallets are relatively slim, price has been one of key factors that affects their car buying decision. However, mill

Korea's automobile market grew 10.3 percent in 2015 in the face of an economic slump, becoming the world's 10th largest in vehicle sales, data showed Friday.More than 1.83 million domestically made and imported cars were sold here last year, accounting for 2 percent of auto sales around the globe, according to the data compiled by the Korea Automobile Manufacturers' Association (KAMA).In 2014, the country was the 11th-largest auto sales market.The organization said the increase in auto sales was

Porsche Korea unveiled the newly upgraded 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera S in Seoul on Thursday, with plans to launch other models based on the iconic Porsche 911 sports car in South Korea this year. 　The two models are the first among Porsche’s redesigned 911 lineup to debut in Korea, according to Porsche Korea. New variations of the 911 will be released locally in the coming months, company officials said. Porsche unveils the new 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera S in a launch ceremony at Dongdaemun De

GM LAUNCHES CADILLAC ATS-V -- James Kim (right), president & CEO of GM Korea, and Chang Jae-joon, president of GM Korea and representative director of Cadillac, pose with the Cadillac ATS-V at the launch event held in southern Seoul on Wednesday. The compact premium performance sedan is equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 twin turbo engine that boasts maximum 470 horsepower output and 61.4 kilogram-meters torque. The car starts from 79.5 million won ($64,400).　(Yonhap)

MAN TRUCK UNVEILS GRAND VISION -- Jeroen Lagarde (left), senior vice president and head of sales for overseas regions at MAN Truck & Bus, and Max Burger, managing director of MAN Truck & Bus Korea, talk with the press in Seoul on Wednesday. The German truck maker announced its plans to become the country’s No.1 truck importer by 2021 with its array of trucks meeting the Euro 6 emission regulations and expanded service centers. (MAN Truck & Bus Korea)

The Fair Trade Commission, the nation’s fair trade watchdog, is reviewing a recent stock deal made between Hyundai Motor Group and NH Investment and Securities to see if there was any irregularity involved in transferring the automakers’ stock ownership in Hyundai Steel, local news reports said. Forced by the revised Korean fair trade act to ban a Korean big business group from creating a new cross-shareholding structure among its affiliates, the two automakers -- Hyundai and Kia -- sold their s

Kia Motors, Korea's second-ranked carmaker, plans to launch the Niro subcompact hybrid SUV in Europe in May, appealing to customers in overseas markets with its eco-friendly features, an industry source said Tuesday.The Niro is Kia Motors's first hybrid dedicated model based on its own production platform. It earlier said that the Niro hybrid will be launched in March for domestic customers but detailed timetables for its overseas introduction have yet to be available."The Niro will be launched

The Italian luxury sports car maker debuted Huracan LP 580-2 in Korea, presenting an annual sales goal of 44 units

South Korea’s leading automaker Hyundai Motor is set to debut the pure electric version of the Ioniq next month at the International Electric Vehicle Expo 2016 in Jejudo Island, following the launch of the Ioniq hybrid in January.The green car expo is scheduled to take place at the International Convention Center Jeju from March 18-24.　　Hyundai has also begun receiving preorders of its new electric vehicle in Jeju, as part of a government-led program to subsidize some 4,000 electric vehicles tha

GM Korea said Thursday it has signed an agreement with six organizations of Incheon City, including the city government and the Incheon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to jointly promote the economic growth of the nation’s third largest city. The Korean unit of the U.S. automaker that runs a production line in Incheon is one of the major businesses contributing to the local economy. The key role of GM Korea in the partnership is to strengthen its support of the city’s automotive industry by in

Kumho Tire said Wednesday that it has expanded tire-related services as part of its efforts to satisfy premium customers.The company launched the first domestic tire specializing distributor Tire Pro in 2001, to provide ultrahigh-performance tires. A Kumho Tire Pro shop mechanic talks to a customer. (Kumho Tire)The tire shops have got a positive response from customers as they provide additional services like tire checkups and consultation on tire purchase, according to company officials. In 201

 A deal with German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz is expected to give a boost to SK innovation’s electric vehicle battery business, analysts said.　SK Innovation, the holding company of SK Group’s energy-related businesses, announced Wednesday that the company had been selected as a lithium ion battery cell supplier for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars. 　It is the fourth major battery deal that SK Innovation has won from a global automaker, following others with Hyundai Motor Group, Beijing Automotiv

Lexus Korea CEO Akihisa Yoshida makes opening remarks during a launch event for the all-new Lexus RX SUVs at the Hotel Shilla in Seoul on Wednesday. Lexus Korea   Lexus Korea will continue to focus on hybrids and SUVs for growth this year, the Japanese carmaker’s chief executive officer said Wednesday. 　“The cheap oil prices are expected to affect sales of hybrid cars in Korea, but the company will continue to expand the lineup of hybrid cars under a mid- and long-term vision,’’ Lexus Korea CEO