Kia premieres all-new Telluride in LA

Kia debuted the all-new Telluride, its flagship three-row sport utility vehicle, at AutoMobility LA 2025 in Los Angeles on Thursday, introducing a newly added hybrid powertrain for the already-popular model. Having undergone a full revamp, the all-new Telluride is the second generation of the original large SUV, which was launched in 2019 in the United States as a model specifically developed for the North American market. “With the launch of the second-generation Telluride, our design and produ

Nov. 21, 2025

Hyundai Motor spotlights off-road direction with Crater concept

Hyundai Motor unveiled the Crater, a concept off-road sport utility vehicle, at AutoMobility LA 2025 in Los Angeles on Thursday, showcasing where the automaker is headed in terms of crafting durable, innovative SUVs. Designed with elements similar to Hyundai's adventure trim, XRT -- emphasizing protection and capability in extreme terrain -- the Crater concept was born at Hyundai America Technical Center in Irvine, California, according to the automaker. “Crater began with a question: ‘What does

Nov. 21, 2025

Genesis enters high-performance luxury market with GV60 Magma

Hyundai Motor Co. has entered the high-performance luxury segment with the Genesis GV60 Magma sport utility vehicle, stepping into a battleground where global brands strive to balance comfort and dynamic driving. The automaker unveiled the electric SUV for the first time on Nov. 12 in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, during a media preview event, showcasing the exterior design and functional features of its new premium lineup. “Unlike most high-performance models that emphasize aggressive and powerful

Nov. 21, 2025

‘Busan plant is key to our North America strategy,’ says Polestar CEO

Polestar, the Swedish electric vehicle manufacturer, is poised to leverage its Busan plant into a strategic export base to North America, marking a broader push to diversify its once China-heavy supply chain. “We’re focusing on Europe, North America and Asia, and within this three-pillar approach … this Busan factory is of highest importance, especially because of its link to North America,” said Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller during a group interview at Polestar Seoul in Yongsan, Seoul, on Th

Nov. 21, 2025

SK On, Chinese partner to swap stakes in battery JVs

SK On, the wholly owned battery subsidiary of South Korea's leading refiner SK Innovation Co., said Thursday it will swap stakes in its joint ventures with a Chinese partner as part of a "portfolio rebalancing" strategy. SK On and EVE Power Hongkong Co. established two electric vehicle battery joint ventures -- Huizhou EVE United Energy Co. (EUE) in 2018 and SK On Jiangsu Co. (SKOJ) in 2019 -- to strengthen their presence in the Chinese battery market, SK On said in a regulatory filing. SK On cu

Nov. 20, 2025

Kia PV5 named world’s top van

Kia said Thursday that its first purpose-built vehicle, the PV5, has been named "2026 International Van of the Year," marking a historic first for both the brand and for any Korean automaker. The award was presented Wednesday at Solutrans 2025, the global commercial vehicle trade fair held in Lyon, France. Launched earlier this year, the PV5 is the debut model in Kia’s dedicated PBV lineup that includes modular electric vehicles designed for multiple roles through a mix of flexible hardware and

Nov. 20, 2025

Cadillac launches Escalade IQ in Korea, vows long-term commitment

General Motors’ premium brand Cadillac has launched its full-size electric sport utility vehicle, the Escalade IQ, in the Korean market, underscoring the brand’s intention to continue operations in Korea despite speculation about a potential withdrawal. “We are going to grow sales in Korea by close to 20 percent for the brand, as we also launched the Lyriq here,” said Hector Villarreal, CEO of GM Korea, during the media showcase event for the new model in Seoul. “But if you look at Escalade only

Nov. 19, 2025

Hyundai Mobis showcases next-gen electrification, modules in major tech reveal

Hyundai Mobis, the parts-making arm of Hyundai Motor Group, has showcased 50 of its latest mobility technologies to global automakers and suppliers, highlighting advances in electrification and modular systems. The two-day “Tech Bridge 2025: Bridge the Tech, Meet the Drive” exhibition kicked off Monday at Hyundai Mobis’ Electrification Research Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, marking the first time the company has combined its electrification and module showcases into a single large-scale e

Nov. 19, 2025

Hyundai extends Russia trademarks as buyback deadline nears

Hyundai Motor Co. has registered its trademarks in Russia for use through 2034, drawing attention amid questions over whether the company may return to the Russian market. Russia’s RIA Novosti reported Monday that Hyundai Motor extended the validity of several trademarks, including its corporate logo, in November, citing data from Rospatent, the country’s patent authority. The applications were filed in 2024. The report added that the renewed registrations put the company in a position where it

Nov. 18, 2025

Tesla Korea on hot seat over service gaps despite record sales

Tesla Korea has come under fire for failing to provide sufficient after-sales service, with zero efforts to give back to local society despite being on pace to hit its all-time annual sales record in Korea this year. According to the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association, Tesla sold 47,962 cars from January to October, up 92.8 percent from the same period last year. The US electric vehicle giant has experienced enormous growth in Korea over the past five years, as it logged 11,

Nov. 18, 2025

[Exclusive] SK On fast-tracks pilot output in all-solid-state battery race

SK On is moving faster than expected toward commercializing next-generation all-solid-state electric vehicle batteries by 2029, with its pilot line in Daejeon set to begin operation before the end of the year, as key partner Solid Power completes the final round of on-site equipment testing. “We’re on batch three right now of the Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) of the planned six batches at SK On’s Daejeon pilot line. … We’ll have that completed by the end of November,” Solid Power CEO John Van Sc

Nov. 17, 2025

Police to probe e-scooter firms after unlicensed teen crash leaves mother in coma

South Korean police are weighing criminal liability for e-scooter rental companies after a teen riding a scooter critically injured a woman in Incheon last month, a case that has intensified public anger over a service already strained by years of accidents, sidewalk conflicts and government crackdowns. Police confirmed they are reviewing whether rental platforms facilitated unlicensed riding in the Songdo accident on Oct. 18, which involved two middle school students who crashed into a woman wa

Nov. 16, 2025

Hyundai Motor plans record W125.2tr Korea investment by 2030

Korea's automotive-to-steelmaking conglomerate Hyundai Motor Group will invest an unprecedented 125.2 trillion won ($86 billion) in Korea over the next five years, as tariff pressures have eased following a recent US-Korea agreement. According to the group on Sunday, the investment is intended to secure long-term growth engines and support Korea’s push to become a global mobility innovation hub, while also protecting Korea’s supply chains amid rising global protectionism. The amount will surpass

Nov. 16, 2025

Mercedes-Benz to launch 40 new models, deepens ties with Samsung, LG

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a plan on Friday to launch 40 vehicle lineups globally and in Korea by 2027, while highlighting partnerships with Samsung and LG that it says will add further momentum to its technology ambitions. At the Mercedes-Benz Future Strategy Conference in Incheon earlier in the day, Mercedes-Benz Group AG CEO Ola Kallenius said the upcoming lineup will span fully electric models, plug-in hybrids and electrified high-end combustion vehicles. He also offered a preview of next ye

Nov. 14, 2025

Kia completes 1st PBV production plant in Hwaseong

Kia unveiled its newly built EVO Plant East — Hyundai Motor Group’s first factory dedicated to platform beyond vehicle, or PBV — in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province on Friday, signifying the automaker’s emphasis on the electrification of light commercial vehicles. Kia, Korea’s second-largest automaker behind its affiliate Hyundai Motor, held a completion ceremony for the EVO Plant East and a groundbreaking ceremony for the EVO Plant West at Kia Autoland Hwaseong on the same day. According to Kia, the

Nov. 14, 2025