The Lexus NX 300h, the first-ever compact sports utility vehicle by Toyota’s premium brand, is the latest object of desire among motor enthusiasts. Launched on Oct. 6, the hybrid vehicle has an “aggressive” exterior, according to Lexus International chief designer Kato Takeaki. It boasts a kick-down feature mimicking a regular automatic transmission whenever the driver accelerates briskly. The price, ranging from 56.8 million won ($53,000) to 63.8 million won, may be an advantage for those seeki

Hyundai Motor succeeded for the first time in joining the top 40 global brands as ranked by Interbrand, a leading global brand consultancy, on Thursday. The Korean carmaker ranked 40th in the latest Best Global Brand report by Interbrand, which identifies and examines the 100 most valuable global brands every year. Last year, Hyundai ranked 43rd. Its smaller affiliate Kia Motors also saw its ranking rise nine notches to 74th place this year. In 2005, Hyundai became the first Korean carmaker to b

Korean university students join carmaker’s e-mobility stakeholder dialogue

Hyundai Motor Group vice chairman Yang Woong-chul on Tuesday said the carmaker’s up-and-coming LF Sonata plug-in hybrid electric vehicles will be released next year as scheduled, and that they would be reasonably priced as all the major parts were made at home. “We are in no hurry because we are confident of our technology. Nearly all parts, including the motor, inverter and batteries, will be made here. And this will allow us to have a high competitive edge in price,” Yang told reporters at the

Korean firms lured by cheaper labor costs, generous incentives

PARIS (AP) ― If there’s one car that can challenge Lamborghini for drawing gaping crowds at this year’s Paris Motor Show, it’s the AMG GT S on display at Mercedes’ stand.The bright yellow sports car from Mercedes’ performance division screams speed. It’s also just the second sports car developed entirely in-house by AMG, which aims to compete in the same class as the Porsche 911 and the Jaguar F-Type. New Mercedes automobiles including the Mercedes-AMG GT (center), and Mercedes-AMG C63 automobil

Hyundai Motor Group said Sunday that its cumulative sales of Hyundai and Kia cars in China have exceeded 9 million units since it entered one of the world’s largest automotive markets in 2002. Thanks to the rise in demand for sports utility vehicles and compact cars, the world’s fifth-largest carmaker sold more than 1.2 million units in the first nine months of this year.According to the figures, Beijing Hyundai sold 812,399 cars and Dong Feng Yueda Kia sold 459,759 units from January to Septemb

Carmaker’s flagship sedan returns strong after three years

The Ford Focus is one of the best-selling hatchbacks in the world, with its potent diesel engine enhancing both its fuel efficiency and driving appeal.In recent years, the blue oval brand has made relentless efforts to shed its “gas-guzzler” image among Korean drivers as it launches strong diesel-powered models into the market. The Ford Focus is the carmaker’s first diesel-powered compact to hit the Korean market and has begun driving up Ford’s overall sales. Along with its sleek styling, the ca

Soberly titled “Cars and Fashion,” the special exhibition at this year’s Paris Motor Show will spotlight around 50 iconic vehicles which left their mark not only in automotive history, but also in the annals of style. Organized in partnership with the French National Audiovisual Institute, the exhibition will be on display from Oct. 4 to 19.Presented in Hall 8 of the Porte de Versailles expo center in Paris, the exhibit will be divided into sections dedicated to some of the key periods in the hi

McLaren is taking a very bold step with the launch of the 625C, the first supercar it has ever built that it claims is smooth and refined enough for everyday use, but more importantly, it is the first car it has tailor-made for one particular group of clients.The McLaren 625C will only be sold in Asia and will be available as a hardtop and as a drop-top Spider. It is based on the hugely successful 650S ― a car so much in demand that McLaren is having trouble hand-building them fast enough ― but