The Korea Herald

Hyundai Aslan ― An elegant lion

Nov 9, 2014

Even though its name originates from the Turkish word for “lion,” the Hyundai Aslan’s aim was never to become a roaring beast on the road.Driving comfort was the top priority in the car’s whole development process. And the efforts seem to have paid off to create a far quieter and smoother-riding premium Hyundai sedan. Hyundai Motor has been losing the lucrative luxury segment to its European rivals, especially Germans, as an increasing number of premium customers are turning their eyes to foreig
Takata’s latest danger: U.S. lawmakers seek criminal airbag probe

Nov 9, 2014

U.S. senators called for the Justice Department to open a criminal investigation into a report that auto-parts maker Takata Corp. may have destroyed evidence years before recalling cars for exploding air bags.Takata secretly tested air bags in 2004 for the possibility that shrapnel could be propelled toward front-seat passengers, then concealed the evidence, the New York Times reported Friday, citing interviews with two former employees it didn’t identify.“If the reports are true, the company mu
GM Korea turbo engine vehicles play part in pushing up domestic sales

Nov 7, 2014

GM Korea Co., the South Korean unit of U.S. automaker General Motors Co., said Friday that sales of its turbo engined vehicles have leaped this year, helping drive up its domestic sales. The carmaker, which sells cars under the Chevrolet badge, said sales of its turbo equipped Trax small crossover, Cruze compact and Aveo sub-compact models surged 88.5 percent in the first 10 months of this year compared to 2013. Combined sales of these vehicles hit 12,157 units, accounting for 9.8 percent of a
Hyundai Motor to recall some 15,000 SUVs in China

Nov 7, 2014

Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's top carmaker, will recall more than 15,000 sport utility vehicles in China because of an engine defect, according to China's quality watchdog Friday. Subject to the recall in mainland China are 15,373 Veracruz SUVs, which were produced between Jan. 8, 2007, and March 12, 2013, in South Korea and imported to China, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said in a statement dated on Thursday. An "improper design of the cyl
Hyundai-Kia pledges to improve mileage

Nov 6, 2014

Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia Motors on Thursday unveiled a new road map for improving the fuel efficiency of their new cars by 25 percent on average by 2020. As part of the broad efforts, the two Korean carmakers will be pouring resources into developing new engines and transmissions and trimming car weight, officials said. The companies did not reveal the estimated costs involved in the fuel efficiency overhaul. “A special task force has been working on the issue since early this year af
(Photo News) March for missing students

Nov 6, 2014

Demonstrators carrying posters of the missing students march in protest against the disappearance of 43 students in the state of Guerrero, in Mexico City, Wednesday. Federal police detained Iguala Mayor Jose Luis Abarca and his wife, Maria de los Angeles Pineda, who are accused of ordering the Sept. 26 attacks on teachers and college students that left six dead and 43 still missing. (AP-Yonhap)
Hyundai Motor, Kia aiming for 25 pct improvement in fuel economy by 2020

Nov 6, 2014

Hyundai Motor Co. and its corporate cousin, Kia Motors Corp., said Thursday that they will strive for a 25 percent improvement in the fuel economy of their cars by 2020. The "2020 mileage improvement roadmap" calls for revolutionary improvements in the powertrain lineup, measures to reduce the weight of vehicles and the launching of more eco-friendly hybrid, electric-powered cars and hydrogen fuel-cell models. The move comes after Hyundai Motor Group chairman Chung Mong-koo called on the tw
Hyundai Motor's new Aslan flagship raises bar in comfort-oriented sedan segment

Nov 4, 2014

Hyundai Motor Co. on Tuesday showed it has raised the bar in the comfort-oriented sedan segment with its all-new Aslan front-wheel drive (FWD) flagship set to reach showrooms across South Korea this month. The car was benchmarked on the Lexus ES 350, and to a lesser extent the Audi A6 TDI. It was designed from the outset to wrestle consumers away from sports-tuned German cars with stiff rides, and offers what the carmaker refers to as "premium comfort" that places the greatest emphasis on a so
Hyundai, Kia shares tumble on weaker yen

Nov 3, 2014

Carmakers urged to sharpen price competitiveness over Japanese rivals
Kia Motors CEO resigns over prolonged wage talks

Nov 2, 2014

Kia Motors said Friday that it named vice president and chief finance officer Park Han-woo as the company’s new chief executive. The leadership change at the nation’s second-largest carmaker came after former president Lee Sam-woong offered his resignation over the prolonged wage talks that led to several partial strikes over the past few months. The management and union reached an agreement on Oct. 28. Since the first talks started in May, the union staged walkouts for a total of 96 hours, due
Porsche dealer CEO Vetter named honorary Seoul citizen

Nov 2, 2014

Michael VetterMichael Vetter, CEO of Stuttgart Sports Cars, an official Porsche dealer in Korea, was recently named an honorary citizen of Seoul. According to the company, Vetter, one of the longest-serving CEOs in the nation’s import car industry, received the citizenship certificate from Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon on Wednesday.The citizenship is conferred annually on up to 10 foreign nationals who have lived here for at least three years and found to have contributed to the city’s development,
Air-bag recall expands again as maker finds part defect

Nov 2, 2014

The manufacturer of air bags linked to four deaths made another 30,687 inflators with an incorrect part that can lead to similarly damaging ruptures in newer vehicles, U.S. regulators said, adding to questions about the scope of the defects in Takata Corp. products.Takata will recall the SDI-X inflators manufactured from June 16, 2008, to June 20, 2014, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a statement on its website. An incorrect outer baffle could cause the unit to rupture
Han Sung Motor helps refurbish traditional market

Nov 2, 2014

Students breathe new vigor into Seoul Jungang Market through art work
Mercedes follows BMW, Audi to motorbikes with Agusta stake

Nov 2, 2014

Mercedes-Benz is buying 25 percent of Italy’s MV Agusta Motor SpA as it follows luxury-car competitor BMW and Audi into the motorcycle market.Mercedes signed a long-term marketing and distribution partnership together with the stake purchase, the unit of Stuttgart-based Daimler AG and the Varese-based motorcycle-maker said in a statement Friday. The companies did not disclose the financial terms.Mercedes once had a marketing partnership with motorcycle-maker Ducati, which ended when Volkswagen A
Hyundai launches Aslan sedan

Oct 30, 2014

Hyundai Motor’s new sedan Aslan made its debut Thursday targeting the more affluent clientele on the Korean auto giant’s home turf, where premium German vehicles dominate the high-end segment. “We felt sore seeing our Sonata and Grandeur drivers choose German luxury brands as their next step-up cars,” said Hyundai Motor president Kim Choong-ho during a launch event held at the Dongdaemum Design Plaza in Seoul. “The Aslan is out to lure back the customers.” Hyundai Motor president Kim Choong-ho (