Hyundai Motor chief visits Czech plant to boost EV offerings in Europe

Hyundai Motor Group's Executive Chairman Chung Euisun visited the company’s Czech manufacturing plant last Thursday to assess Hyundai’s European operations as part of a state trip with South Korean President Yoon Seok Yeol. During the trip, Hyundai Motor Group also signed several memorandums of understanding with Czech companies and universities to collaborate on future mobility initiatives, including hydrogen energy and advanced automotive technologies. This was part of a large

Sept. 22, 2024

[KH Explains] Can smart chargers ease tensions over EV fires?

Electric vehicle owners in South Korea’s crowded apartment complexes are beginning to feel like social outcasts. “In my apartment, EV users are sometimes treated like criminals,” said Lee Ho-deok, an EV owner living in a large apartment complex in Seoul’s Mapo district, when describing the tense atmosphere. In a city where over 85 percent of the population lives in multi-unit housing, apartment residents already contend with longstanding issues like noise between floors.

Sept. 22, 2024

Illegal drones cause 122 flight disruptions in four years

A total of 122 flights have been disrupted due to illegal drone activities over the past four years, data showed Thursday, prompting calls for stricter measures and penalties. From September 2020 to August 2024, a total of 506 cases of unauthorized drone activities were detected in the airspace around airports, and 122 cases affected flight operations, according to data from the Incheon International Airport Corporation and Korea Airports Corporation, submitted to Rep. Ahn Tae-jun of the main op

Sept. 21, 2024

Hyundai Motor bolsters hydrogen push in Czech

Hyundai Motor Group has renewed its commitment to the hydrogen fuel cell vehicles industry in the Czech Republic, a booming market for the clean mobility sector. Ken Ramirez, vice president of global commercial vehicle and hydrogen Business division at Hyundai Motor Group, and Skoda Electric CEO Jaromir Silhanek participated in the signing ceremony held in Prague on Friday to join forces in hydrogen-powered mobility. The partnership agreement comes during South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol&rsq

Sept. 20, 2024

Korean battery makers zero in on global commercial EV market

Korean battery makers Samsung SDI and LG Energy Solution are putting considerable effort into boasting their latest technologies in the commercial electric vehicle sector at the ongoing IAA Transportation 2024 in Hanover, Germany. The IAA, currently being held from Sept. 17-22, is one of the largest auto exhibitions in the world and alternates its focus between passenger and commercial vehicles each year. This year’s theme is commercial vehicles. Samsung SDI has presented a lineup of nex

Sept. 18, 2024

[Photo News] Indian honor

Hyundai Motor has earned its first top employer honor in India from Top Employer Institute, a global human resources certifier headquartered in Amsterdam. Kim Un-soo, managing director of Hyundai Motor India, said the accolade is a testament to the automaker's ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive, dynamic, engaging and rewarding workplace, adding that the recognition reflects Hyundai Motor's "People First" philosophy. Top Employer Institute underlined that Hyundai Moto

Sept. 18, 2024

Kia makes breakthrough in China sales

Kia is showing signs of recovery in China, recording more than 20,000 units in monthly sales for three consecutive months from June to August. If this momentum continues, the company is on track to reach or surpass its goal of selling over 200,000 units in China by the end of the year. Kia’s recovery is primarily driven by two factors: the introduction of new, market-specific models and an expansion of its export operations. According to Kia’s Chinese joint venture, Jiangsu Yueda Kia

Sept. 17, 2024

Lime green plates deepen slump in Korea’s luxury car sales

Corporate vehicle sales in South Korea continue to plunge this year, particularly among high-end imported models, due in large part to a new government policy aimed at curbing tax abuses. The introduction of lime green license plates for costly corporate-owned cars, effective January 2024, is seen as a primary factor behind the sharp decline. According to data from the Carisyou Data Research Institute, registrations of corporate vehicles priced over 80 million won (approximately $59,600) fell by

Sept. 16, 2024

Kia joins forces with Geotab, 42dot to streamline PBV fleet management

Kia has joined forces with Canadian fleet data provider Geotab and Hyundai Motor Group’s software arm 42dot to create an advanced fleet management system for its new line of purpose-built vehicles. This collaboration, formalized in a memorandum of understanding signed Friday at Geotab’s headquarters in Canada, marks an important step in developing solutions for businesses that manage large vehicle fleets. Kia’s PBVs are commercial electric vehicles designed to be customizable.

Sept. 13, 2024

Mercedes-Benz Korea CEO might appear at government audit, industry reports

In the aftermath of the massive fire caused by a Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle in August, Mathias Vaitl, CEO of the German auto giant’s Korean unit, might appear for next month's government audit, industry insiders said Friday. Given the severity of the incident that took out an apartment complex parking lot and over 100 vehicles in Incheon on Sept. 1, the Land Infrastructure and Transport Committee of the National Assembly is reportedly considering calling Mathias as a key witness f

Sept. 13, 2024

[Photo News] Hyundai’s Genesis steers art at the MET

With support from Hyundai Motor Group’s premium brand Genesis, The Metropolitan Museum of Arts in New York has launched an art exhibition titled, “Long Tail Halo” on Thursday. In partnership with Genesis, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the world’s largest art museums, has featured four installation pieces by renowned Korean contemporary artist Lee Bul, displayed prominently at the museum's main entrance. (Hyundai Motor Group)

Sept. 13, 2024

[Photo News] Pope rides Hyundai Ioniq 5 in Singapore

Pope Francis waves to the crowd from a Hyundai Ioniq 5, the auto giant’s flagship electric vehicle, as he arrives at the National Stadium in Singapore on Thursday. Singapore is the final stop of the pope’s 12-day, four-nation trip through Southeast Asia and the South Pacific – his longest and most distant tour of his papacy. (AFP-Yonhap)

Sept. 13, 2024

Hyundai Motor, GM join hands to shake up EV landscape

Hyundai Motor Group and General Motors have joined forces to explore collaboration in vehicle development, supply chain and clean energy technology, officials announced Thursday. According to the announcement, the top leadership from each auto giant -- including Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun and GM CEO Mary Barra -- recently met at Genesis House New York and signed a memorandum of understanding to seek future collaboration across key strategic areas. Hyundai Motor and GM -- th

Sept. 12, 2024

BMW opens brand's 1st charging hub lounge in Korea

BMW Group opened its newest charging station named BMW Charging Hub Lounge in central Seoul on Thursday, continuing to build upon the German automaker’s commitment to Korea’s electric vehicle transformation. According to BMW Group Korea, Seoul’s new charging facility has six 200 kilowatt-hour chargers and an indoor lounge including a cafe. The chargers will be open for other brands’ EVs as BMW aims to offer all EV drivers comfort and an opportunity to check out its newest

Sept. 12, 2024

Posco Future M inks W1.8tr cathode supply deal

Posco Future M said Thursday it has signed a 1.8 trillion won ($1.4 billion) deal to supply high-nickel cathode materials for electric vehicle batteries with a battery maker. The details of the agreement including the other signing party will not be disclosed until Dec. 31, when the two companies will finalize the terms and conditions, according to Posco Future M. “We sometimes hold back the information on the parties involved following the company’s request (of not making a full dis

Sept. 12, 2024

Bentley Flying Spur hybrid makes global premiere in Korea

Bentley Motors Korea has just unveiled the fourth-generation Flying Spur in South Korea, marking the global debut of this luxury sedan with an all-new plug-in hybrid system. After announcing the new Flying Spur on Tuesday, Bentley Motors Korea held an in-person media reveal on Wednesday at the Bentley Tower in Dongdaemun, Seoul. “South Korea is incredibly important to Bentley, and the Flying Spur has really resonated with customers here. Last year, it became the first luxury sedan in its p

Sept. 11, 2024

Battery-makers brace for further drop in lithium prices

Collapsing lithium prices are expected to put more pressure on Korean battery companies that are already reeling from an electric vehicle chasm, industry insiders said Wednesday. According to a recent Goldman Sachs report, the global lithium price is projected to fall by 18 percent from the monthly average price of $12.70 per kilogram in August to $10.40 next year. The price would be an 84.1 percent drop compared to the lithium boom in 2022 and on a similar level to 2015, when automakers just st

Sept. 11, 2024

Hyundai-Kia EV powertrains named in best engines of 2024

Hyundai-Kia’s electric powertrains, featured in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and Kia EV9 GT-Line, have been recognized by US automotive publication WardsAuto as two of the 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems for 2024. This also is the third straight year that Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP electric vehicle platform, has earned this prestigious recognition. WardsAuto has been holding automotive powertrain awards since 1995. Expanded in 2019 to include electric propulsion systems, the award

Sept. 10, 2024

[Photo News] Hyundai sweeps podium at acropolis rally

Hyundai Motor secured a triple podium finish at the Acropolis Rally Greece that took place from Thursday to Sunday, in the 10th round of the 2024 World Rally Championship. Thierry Neuville took the top spot, with teammates Dani Sordo and Ott Tanak close behind. This victory, Hyundai’s fourth of the season, came on one of the toughest WRC courses, known for its punishing unpaved roads and high temperatures. Hyundai’s i20 N Rally1 Hybrid cars outperformed rivals in durability and rel

Sept. 9, 2024

Govt. to issue legislative notice for new EV safety regulations

The transport ministry said Monday it plans to issue a legislative notice for new government regulations regarding electric vehicle safety announced last week in response to public concerns over EV fires. The ministry said the legislative notice for amendments to the enforcement regulations of the Automobile Management Act will be issued for 40 days, from Tuesday to Oct. 21. Last week, the government said its EV battery certification system that was scheduled to go into effect next February will

Sept. 9, 2024