BMW expects the new i3 electric vehicle to be priced in the U.S. similarly to a 3 Series compact car, the automaker’s top executive for the market said. “It will be in the ballpark of a normally” equipped 3 Series, Ludwig Willisch, head of BMW North America, said during a presentation at J.D. Power’s International Automotive Roundtable in New Orleans, which is being held in advance of the annual National Automobile Dealers Association convention.The four-door i3 small car, the first offering of

New models, showrooms part of expansionary push

Renault Samsung Motors Co., the local unit of French automaker Renault S.A., said Wednesday it launched a refreshed version of its popular QM5 compact sport-utility vehicle in South Korea.The country’s smallest carmaker said the QM5 Neo features design aspects that were first introduced on the mini-crossover QM3.Compared to the existing design, the QM5 Neo has more flowing and athletic body lines, which give the car a more “premium” appearance, the company claimed. The new car also has enhanced

For Hyundai Motor, the Volkswagen Golf may be both a source of inspiration and an eyesore. The Korean carmaker often admits that its engineers take the popular hatch apart to study, and its latest compact cars have a greater competitive edge than ever before. (A Volkswagen executive also once told me that the company was inspecting new vehicles from Hyundai as well.)But after my four-day test drive of the Golf, I felt there was still a clear gap that cannot be narrowed soon between the two rival

Jaguar pledges to become a game-changer in the luxury car market with an all-wheeldrive system

Rolls-Royce, the high-end luxury carmaker owned by BMW Group, said last week that it sold 30 units last year in Korea ― its highest sales yet.The Rolls-Royce Ghost, priced at about 400 million won ($375,000) here, accounted for 27 of the 30 cars that were sold, proving to be the bestselling model among Korean big spenders.The wide popularity of the Ghost demonstrates the growth potential for the super-luxury segment in Korea, according to Lee Chul-seung, the head of the official importer Rolls-R

Mary Barra, who became the first female chief executive officer of General Motors Co. last week, may receive compensation in 2014 worth more than $4.4 million. Barra, 52, will earn $1.6 million in salary and is eligible to receive an additional $2.8 million as part of the company’s short-term incentive plan, Detroit-based GM said yesterday in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Barra also is likely to receive additional compensation as part of a new long-term incentive pla

After a rather prosperous 2013, Volkswagen Korea has already begun arranging its next move in order to lead the country’s market for imported cars, the company announced last week.Last year was big for the German automaker, which sold a total of 25,662 units in Korea ― surpassing its original sales target of 24,000 units and also the previous year’s sales record of 18,395 units. This marks the first time the company has exceeded 20,000 in annual sales since its corporate establishment in Korea i