The Korea Herald

First class-action suit filed over inflated fuel economy

Jul 7, 2014

Some 1,700 buyers sue 2 Korean, 4 foreign carmakers
GM Korea to reintroduce Damas and Labo in August

Jul 7, 2014

GM Korea, the nation’s third-largest carmaker, said Monday it will be reintroducing its Damas and Labo vehicles here to meet the persistent demand for these compact commercial vehicles. A company source said it was ready to set up an assembly line for the two models at its Changwon plant, located about 400 kilometers southeast of Seoul. Pilot production can start this month, the source said, with full-fledged assembly and delivery to start in mid-August.The cars, initially sold by GM Daewoo in t
Han Sung Motor nurtures young talent through art

Jul 6, 2014

Company celebrates the third anniversary of its CSR program ‘Dream Gream Project’
Volvo Korea names new chief executive

Jul 6, 2014

Lee Yun-moVolvo Korea said Sunday that it named Lee Yun-mo, former executive director of after-sales service at BMW Korea, as the company’s new chief executive as of July 7.Lee, 49, is an industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience at several carmakers. He is credited with supporting the stunning growth of German luxury brand BMW in Korea over the past decade. According to the Korean unit of the Swedish carmaker, he started his career at Daewoo Auto & Technology, now GM Korea, in 1994
New Audi A8 sedan shows off ‘Art of Progress’

Jul 6, 2014

The New Audi A8, released on Thursday, shouts luxury in terms of both design and performance. Hailed as the epitome of the German automaker’s slogan “Advancement through Technology,” the prestige sedan has added another theme, “The Art of Progress” ― expressed through everything from its sleek outline to its engine and fuel economy. “The New Audi A8 represents Audi’s cutting-edge technology. It actively lays out Audi’s key spirit of design, traffic comfort and drivers’ convenience,” said Johanne
Daimler tests self-driving truck in 2025 target for sales

Jul 6, 2014

Daimler AG is working to introduce trucks that steer, brake and accelerate independently as early as 2025 as the world’s commercial-vehicle industry leader seeks to keep an innovative edge over competitors.The self-driving technology, adapted from features already available on Daimler’s new Mercedes-Benz S-Class luxury sedan, enabled a prototype based on the company’s Actros truck to travel by itself down a stretch of superhighway today while the driver kept his arms crossed, waved or used a tab
Renault Samsung unveils first diesel SM5

Jul 3, 2014

Renault Samsung Motors on Thursday unveiled the first diesel-powered version of its best-selling sedan the SM5, pledging to renew competition in the soaring diesel car market currently dominated by German brands. The Korean unit of the France-based Renault Group called the new SM5 D a “game changer” that can challenge the existing diesel cars in the market, saying that the vehicle embodies the carmaker’s latest efforts to reduce engine size and price, and improve fuel economy. “More than 60 perc
Hyundai’s new Grandeur raises refinement of diesel sedans

Jul 2, 2014

Hyundai Motor’s new Grandeur diesel aims to raise the bar for refinement in South Korea’s car market by introducing class-leading sound insulation with practical fuel economy, the automaker said Wednesday.In a test drive event arranged for the local media, South Korea’s No. 1 carmaker said the large, near-luxury sedan was designed from the outset to reduce noise, vibration and harshness, and give occupants a smooth, quiet and refined ride. The Grandeur diesel is the country’s first large sedan p
Kumho resumes work on Georgia plant

Jul 1, 2014

A rendering of Kumho Tire’s planned factory in Macon, Georgia (Kumho Tire)Kumho Tire, currently in a debt workout program, said Tuesday that it was resuming the construction of its U.S. plant, which has been suspended since the 2008 financial crisis.Following approval from its creditors, the Korean tire maker said it plans to pour $413 million into the new plant in Macon, Georgia, with its completion due in early 2016. The new plant, capable of producing 4 million tires per year, will supply tir
Hyundai Motor set to expand production at Brazil plant

Jun 30, 2014

Annual output to reach about 185,000 vehicles this year
Foreign carmakers left confused by mileage audit

Jun 29, 2014

Industry watchers warn of trade tension with FTA partner nations
Toyota to launch first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle for $69,000

Jun 29, 2014

Mitsuhisa Kato, executive vice president at Toyota Motor, speaks as he introduces the company’s fuel cell vehicle during a news conference in Tokyo on Wednesday. (Bloomberg)Toyota Motor’s vision of a hydrogen future will begin with a $69,000 car.That’s the price of Toyota’s new fuel cell vehicle, the world’s largest carmaker said in a statement Wednesday. The Camry-sized car will go on sale to Japanese consumers with a sticker price of about 7 million yen ($68,690) before April, followed by debu
Mercedes-Benz Korea launches new CSR program ‘Promise’

Jun 29, 2014

Mercedes-Benz Korea, along with Daimler Trucks Korea, Mercedes-Benz Financial Service Korea and 11 local dealers, on Thursday announced the creation of a social responsibility program called “Mercedes-Benz Promise.”“We are excited by this opportunity to provide children and college students with an internationally-proven program developed by our German HQ,” said Adi Ofek, president of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Korea and vice chairman of the Mercedes-Benz CSR committee. Mercedes-Benz Kore
Audi’s understated first plug-in veers from showy BMW

Jun 29, 2014

Audi, the world’s second-largest maker of luxury vehicles, is betting that green-car fans are more interested in low emissions than distinctive designs.While electric autos like the BMW i3 and Tesla Model S garner interest because their styling stands out, Audi’s first plug-in hybrid is a modified version of its A3 hatchback that looks identical to the conventional model. The A3 Sportback E-Tron can drive emission free for 50 kilometers and will cost as much as 15,100 euros ($20,600) more than i
Hyundai Motor to be fined for overstated fuel economy

Jun 26, 2014

The Transport Ministry on Thursday announced that it would slap fines on Hyundai Motor and Ssangyong Motor for reporting inaccurate fuel mileage ratings for their sports utility vehicles. Hyundai Motor refuted the findings, citing test results from the Trade Ministry that found they correctly stated the vehicle’s fuel economy. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s gas mileage test results suggested that the Hyundai Santa Fe’s reported efficiency of 14.4 kilometers per liter was ov