Motor Authority - blog Tag: South Korea

Just a few days ago we brought you a story about General Motors considering bringing small cars from China to the U.S. in order to bolster its sales in the segment. Currently, the carmaker is looking to sell around 17,300 Chinese-made vehicles in the U.S. by 2011 and over 50,000 units by 2014. Until now, however, it was uncertain just what type of vehicles the carmaker would be bringing to local showrooms.

Speaking with the Detroit Free Press, a senior Global Insight market analyst in Shanghai predicted that GM would likely bring Chinese-built versions of the Chevrolet Spark and next-generation Aveo, as well as another small car called the... Just a few days ago we brought you a story about General Motors considering bringing small cars from China to the U.S. in order to bolster its sales in the segment. Currently, the carmaker is looking to sell around 17,300 Chinese-made vehicles in the U.S. by 2011 and over 50,000 units by 2014. Until now, however, it was uncertain just what type of vehicles the carmaker would be bringing to local showrooms. Speaking with the Detroit Free Press, a senior Global Insight market analyst in Shanghai predicted that GM would likely bring Chinese-built versions of the Chevrolet Spark and next-generation Aveo, as well as another small car called the Lova. Under such a plan, the cars would be produced by GM’s partners in China, Shanghai Auto Industry Corporation (SAIC) and Liuzhou Wuling Auto. While the predictions about these cars comes from a reputed market intelligence company, other analysts are not quite so sure about GM's overall plans to import cars from China, however. One analyst from a Shanghai based company stated that GM's "export aspirations are a marketing tactic, not a real solid opportunity", but that they were "certainly a possibility in the future." Furthermore, the news has angered local unions which believe that taking government support but then outsourcing jobs to China is an underhanded move. However, remaining competitive is GM's ultimate long term goal, and should it pursue Chinese imports then it will likely be the first major carmaker in the U.S to do so.2011 Chevrolet Spark minicarSpy shots: Possible next-gen Chevrolet Aveo Read More

Just a few days ago we told you General Motors would be looking to build more and more cars overseas as part of its restructuring plans, and that China was one of the first places they'd look. Today news that GM will in fact be bringing Chinese cars to the U.S. has begun to trickle out into the open.

Finding ways to get cars to market with less expense and more profitability is the name of the game, and with the U.S. federal government driving a hard bargain behind the scenes, GM's decision to go to China for its low-cost, high-volume vehicles makes sense.

Initially, however, the number of cars coming out of China will be a tiny drop in a... Just a few days ago we told you General Motors would be looking to build more and more cars overseas as part of its restructuring plans, and that China was one of the first places they'd look. Today news that GM will in fact be bringing Chinese cars to the U.S. has begun to trickle out into the open. Finding ways to get cars to market with less expense and more profitability is the name of the game, and with the U.S. federal government driving a hard bargain behind the scenes, GM's decision to go to China for its low-cost, high-volume vehicles makes sense. Initially, however, the number of cars coming out of China will be a tiny drop in a very large bucket - only about 17,000 cars will be coming in 2011, the first year of their sale here, reports Automotive News. By 2014 that number will triple to over 51,000, but that's still just a small fraction of GM's annual sales totals in the U.S. These figures come out of a planning document being distributed to U.S. legislators. The idea of a Chinese-made car might be off-putting to some U.S. buyers, but those same buyers would do well to evaluate what else in their daily lives is made in and imported from China. Given the nature of the U.S. economy, it's likely that a majority, or at least a significant minority, of the products in any given household have their origins in China. Those products, driven by consumer demand, ostensibly combine a good blend of low cost and high value, so why not apply the same process to cars? The UAW, meanwhile, is not happy with the decision, saying, "GM should not be taking taxpayers' money simply to finance the outsourcing of jobs to other countries," in a letter penned by legislative director Alan Reuther. The point is a valid one, and one likely to resonate with the American public as well. Along with the rise in Chinese-made vehicles for U.S. sale, Mexican-made cars and trucks would increase significantly as well, from the current 317,000 to 501,000 by 2014, while cars made in South Korea for the American market would increase almost five-fold from 36,000 to 157,000 by 2014. Which cars will be made in China isn't yet clear, but given the Chinese market's affinity for the Buick brand, it might make sense to leverage that into a production run that could satisfy both the American market and the rapidly expanding Chinese market with a car like the new LaCrosse.2010 Buick LaCrosse sedan Read More

In the past year alone Kia’s lineup has grown to include three different SUV models as well as the stylish Forte sedan and Soul hatchback, all while improving quality levels and maintaining the brand’s tradition of affordability. This rollercoaster of product launches doesn’t show any signs of slowing, even with the current economic crisis, with both a new Sorrento and Sportage due for release by the end of the year.

While the 2010 Kia Sorrento SUV has already been revealed thanks to a premature leak earlier this month, the final design for the next-generation Sportage is still clouded in mystery. A prototype for the... In the past year alone Kia’s lineup has grown to include three different SUV models as well as the stylish Forte sedan and Soul hatchback, all while improving quality levels and maintaining the brand’s tradition of affordability. This rollercoaster of product launches doesn’t show any signs of slowing, even with the current economic crisis, with both a new Sorrento and Sportage due for release by the end of the year. While the 2010 Kia Sorrento SUV has already been revealed thanks to a premature leak earlier this month, the final design for the next-generation Sportage is still clouded in mystery. A prototype for the vehicle has been spotted testing in Northern Europe ahead of a planned market launch in the U.S. in the later stages of the year. The images reveal the Sportage will retain the boxy styling of the current model, though there will be some sportier and more distinct elements. The redesigned SUV will be available with a range of new four-cylinder engines as well as a six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic. A 2.0L turbodiesel will also be offered for European market, and while the U.S. will miss out on this powerplant a more powerful petrol V6 engine will be offered in its place.2010 Kia Sportage SUV spy shots Read More

U.S. President Barack Obama's limousine is a masterwork of technology and design, even if it is incredibly awkward-looking. The sad truth of today's society is that leaders actually need such intense personal security. The reality isn't much different in South Korea, where Hyundai is building the country's first native bulletproof car, based on the Equus.

“Most of the heads of other car-manufacturing states use bulletproof cars made in their own countries. It doesn’t make sense that the world’s fifth largest auto-manufacturing country is still using foreign-made bulletproof cars, and that is why Hyundai is working on the... U.S. President Barack Obama's limousine is a masterwork of technology and design, even if it is incredibly awkward-looking. The sad truth of today's society is that leaders actually need such intense personal security. The reality isn't much different in South Korea, where Hyundai is building the country's first native bulletproof car, based on the Equus. “Most of the heads of other car-manufacturing states use bulletproof cars made in their own countries. It doesn’t make sense that the world’s fifth largest auto-manufacturing country is still using foreign-made bulletproof cars, and that is why Hyundai is working on the project,” an inside source told the Korean paper The Chosun. It's a simple and rational argument, and not surprising in the least. Like President Obama's limo, however, the nitty-gritty details are being kept secret for safety. At present, Korean President Lee Myung-bak uses a fleet of Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman Guards and BMW Security 760Lis, two of the most finely outfitted armored cars in the world. If the new Hyundai is built to equal those cars, both in luxury and in protection, Hyundai may well have a valuable export proposition as well. The creation of the armored limo also reflects Hyundai's ongoing work to raise its brand's reputation and products to truly world-class levels.Hyundai VI Equus replacement Read More

Hyundai will debut its 2010 Genesis Coupe in the U.S. during Super Bowl XLIII on Sunday, February 1, using a short television commercial designed to highlight the performance potential of the 310hp car and help build hype for it. Just a day out from the big game, Hyundai has released one of the television spots.

In the clip, championship winning driver Rhys Millen, famous for his drifting prowess and Pike's Peak world record, uses the Genesis Coupe to perform some precision driving around a track. A second spot will be aired tomorrow featuring re-edited precision driving footage matched to a new soundtrack to further highlight Hyundai's... Hyundai will debut its 2010 Genesis Coupe in the U.S. during Super Bowl XLIII on Sunday, February 1, using a short television commercial designed to highlight the performance potential of the 310hp car and help build hype for it. Just a day out from the big game, Hyundai has released one of the television spots. In the clip, championship winning driver Rhys Millen, famous for his drifting prowess and Pike's Peak world record, uses the Genesis Coupe to perform some precision driving around a track. A second spot will be aired tomorrow featuring re-edited precision driving footage matched to a new soundtrack to further highlight Hyundai's theme for the commercials of 'The Epic Lap'. The first commercial, meanwhile, sees Millen navigate the 2.54-mile, 12-turn race track at Road Atlanta in Northeast Georgia. Additionally Hyundai is also hosting an online contest asking consumers to edit their own version of 'The Epic Lap'. According to a May report from the Wall Street Journal, a 30-second spot during the Super Bowl in 2009 will cost advertisers at least $3 million - meaning that Hyundai is spending $6 million for one minute of advertising for its Genesis Coupe sports car. Other campaigns to promote the Hyundai Genesis Coupe include a number of tuner-specials for the car that were shown at SEMA last year, including one developed alongside Millen himself.Hyundai Genesis CoupeSuper Bowl XLIII Hyundai Genesis Coupe ad Read More

Despite the attractive new C200 crossover concept debuted at last year's Paris Motor Show, the successful Rexton production SUV and the new-for-2008 Chairman W luxury sedan, South Korea's SsangYong has revealed that it is entering court receivership to avoid being forced into bankruptcy. The global slump in car sales hit the carmaker hard in every market, pushing down share values by 77% over the last 12 months.

The company had previously cut wages by 30%, reduced output and received a $45 million cash injection from China's SAIC, which owns 51% of SsangYong. Even with those steps taken, it wasn't enough to keep the company's plummeting... Despite the attractive new C200 crossover concept debuted at last year's Paris Motor Show, the successful Rexton production SUV and the new-for-2008 Chairman W luxury sedan, South Korea's SsangYong has revealed that it is entering court receivership to avoid being forced into bankruptcy. The global slump in car sales hit the carmaker hard in every market, pushing down share values by 77% over the last 12 months. The company had previously cut wages by 30%, reduced output and received a $45 million cash injection from China's SAIC, which owns 51% of SsangYong. Even with those steps taken, it wasn't enough to keep the company's plummeting sales from dragging it into danger of bankruptcy. In a statement to the press the company said, "SsangYong decided to file for court receivership to deal with an urgent liquidity crisis and to transform itself into a company with sustainable growth." The latest twist is that Russian carmaker Sollers is now seeking to buy the rights to produce several SsangYong vehicles and is also looking to take over South Korean carmaker’s components base, Reuters reports. Sollers already holds licenses to produce SsangYong's Rexton II and Kyron SUVs in Russia, but plans to expand into other markets as well. Part of SsangYong's problem is that it competes in many global markets throughout Europe and Asia where more established brands that ate into their usual customer base by chopping prices as sales slowed. Without the ability to lower prices further or compete on a brand-to-brand basis, SsangYong has taken the financial hit on the chin. Federal aid from the state-owned Korea Development Bank could be in the cards, but is predicated on new cash injections from SAIC. That may not happen, however, as SAIC may take the receivership as an opportunity to lessen or even liquidate its interest in SsangYong to help improve its own financial situation.SsangYong C200 Concept Read More