The Korea Herald

Kia opens preorders for all-new K5

Jun 21, 2015

Kia Motors, South Korea’s second-largest automaker, said it would begin accepting preorders for its upgraded midsize sedan, the all-new K5, from Monday.The second-generation of the K5, set to go on sale in mid-July, comes five years after the first version’s launch in 2010. The vehicle features an upgraded design and improved engine features.The new K5 comes in two models, featuring differing design schemes ― the K5 Modern Extreme and the K5 Sporty Extreme. There are five engine types available,
German carmakers woo younger drivers for market expansion

Jun 21, 2015

With competition in Korea’s limited luxury car market heating up, German luxury carmakers are turning their eyes to the country’s younger generation for further growth, introducing their compact car models, armed with a new look and cheaper price. In the latest move, Audi, the fourth-largest foreign car brand in Korea, debuted two A1 cars ― the A1 30 TDI and A1 Sportback 30 TDI ― on Thursday, hoping that its smallest diesel-powered product line will appeal to the 20- and 30-somethings here.The b
Audi taps small car market with A1

Jun 18, 2015

Audi Korea plans to strengthen the penetration into the premium small car market in Korea, following the launch of its new Audi A1 models on Thursday in Seoul. The facelifted A1 models debuted here are the three-door A1 30 TDI and the five-door A1 Sportback 30 TDI, according to the company. Audi’s premium small cars target younger customers, who long for an Audi badge at relatively cheap prices. The price tags on the new A1 range from 32.7 million won ($29,380) to 37.2 million won, depending on
[Photo News] QM3 Pop-up store

Jun 17, 2015

Renault Samsung Motors set up a pop-up store for its compact SUV QM3 near the bustling Gangnam Station in southern Seoul. The store to promote the best-selling vehicle will be open until Friday. (Renault Samsung Motors)
[Photo News] The New F-Type

Jun 14, 2015

Jaguar Land Rover Korea started the sales of the new F-Type on Wednesday, making a total of 10 F-Type models available in Korea. Both the new F-Type coupe and convertible models come in all-wheel drive structure with 6-speed manual transmission. (Jaguar Land Rover Korea)
[Photo News] DS3 New Light Signature

Jun 14, 2015

Hanbul Motors launched DS3 New Light Signature, a premium hatchback by French carmaker Citroen, with an upgraded design and performance. The car with a 1.6 e-HDI engine is priced from 32.9 million won. (Hanbul Motors)
[Photo News] BMW New R 1200 RS

Jun 14, 2015

BMW Motorrad, the motorcycle arm of BMW, released the new R 1200RS in Korea on Friday with double cylindrical boxer engine boasting a maximum of 125 horsepower and a maximum of 12.7 kg-m at 6,500 rpm. (BMW Korea)
New BMW 118 brings sheer joy of urban driving

Jun 14, 2015

It was a sheer joy to drive the new BMW 1-series.The compact hatchback was apt for excitement even in the bustling city center, with dozens of traffic signals and packed streets. The media test drive for the new BMW 118d was held Monday, on a route spanning 14 kilometers from BMW’s Kolon showroom in Daechi-dong, southern Seoul, to the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Hotel in eastern Seoul. The drive emulated the commuting route for average office workers, the main target customers for the new BMW 1-s
Korea gears up to develop ultrasmall electric cars

Jun 14, 2015

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Sunday that the government is making utmost efforts to develop extremely small electric cars and tricycles to cope with various changes in the urban landscape.The “micro-mobility” project aims at developing ultrasmall electric cars and tricycles as well as the infrastructure to create a more enabling environment. A total of 28 billion won ($25.1 million) from the central government and another 12 billion from regional administrations have been chip
Kia's Soul EV wins sustainable mobility award in France

Jun 14, 2015

South Korea's No. 2 carmaker Kia Motors Corp. said Sunday its Soul electric vehicle was named the best city car among eco-friendly auto models by French journalists. The Soul EV ranked No. 1 in the "Alternative Energy City Car" category in this year's Prix Auto Environment MAAF awards, the carmaker said. In the Prix Auto Environment MAAF awards, first established in 2005, a jury of environmental and automotive journalists assess cars based on their technology related to sustainable mobility. Asi
Kia Motors makes inroads in Mexico

Jun 10, 2015

Kia Motors made an official landing in Mexico on Tuesday, with 21 sales outlets and a soon-to-open manufacturing plant in the Central American state. “Kia will establish a powerful sales network alongside competitive products and an effective marketing strategy in order to succeed in the Mexican market,” Oh Tae-hyun, vice president of Kia said at the launching ceremony held in Mexico City. The sales will kick off in July, with K3 ― known as Forte there ― alongside sports utility vehicles Sportag
Kia's Morning named best city car in Germany

Jun 10, 2015

Kia Motor Corp.'s Morning was named the best city car by a German automotive magazine on Wednesday amid the carmaker's push to expand its foothold in the European market. The car, sold in Europe as the Picanto, ranked first in its segment after receiving 452 points out of a possible 700 in an assessment of three models carried out by Auto Bild. The vehicles were assessed in seven categories including car frame, engine, and environmental friendliness, six of which the Morning earned the best s
Hyundai's Accent subcompact becomes best-seller in Russia

Jun 9, 2015

Hyundai Motor Co.'s Accent subcompact became the best-selling car in Russia in May as the automaker pushes for a bigger presence there despite unfavorable market conditions, industry data showed Tuesday. Hyundai Motor, South Korea's top automaker, sold 10,654 units of the Accent, locally known as the Solaris, in Russia last month, the most among car models being sold there, according to the data by the Association of European Business. The Accent edged out the Lada Granta of a local carmaker t
Hyundai Motor to sell all-new Tucson in N. America in July

Jun 9, 2015

Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's top automaker, plans to begin selling the all-new Tucson SUV in the North American market starting in July, a company official said Tuesday. The latest version of the Tucson compact SUV was launched in March here, appealing to customers with improved designs, more space, and better power and fuel efficiency. It has not been launched yet in major overseas markets, including in the U.S. "The Tucson SUVs started to be produced for overseas sales last month and can
Hyundai Motor activates emergency response against MERS

Jun 8, 2015

Hyundai Motor Group, the world's fifth-largest auto giant, launched an emergency response system on Monday to better protect its employees from Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, which is showing signs of a wide spread in South Korea. South Korea remains gripped by the potentially deadly disease that has claimed six lives so far and forced more than 2,500 people to be kept in quarantine. This is the largest outbreak of the disease outside Saudi Arabia. Hyundai Motor Group, which has top two aut