Journalist

Oh Jooseok
  • GMs plan to close service centers reignites rumors of exit from South Korea
    GM's plan to close service centers reignites rumors of exit from South Korea SEOUL, October 17 (AJP) - GM Korea’s plan to sell its directly operated service centers has ignited a labor dispute and stirred speculation about the automaker’s long-term commitment to South Korea. The company, a subsidiary of U.S.-based General Motors, said the decision stems from weak domestic sales and chronic financial losses. In May, GM Korea announced plans to sell nine service centers and idle land at its Bupyeong plant in Incheon — a move it has not reversed despite union opposition. Industry observers say the decision could erode consumer trust and worsen perceptions of GM’s brand reliability in South Korea, particularly as its service centers have played a vital role in handling recalls and warranty issues for Chevrolet and Cadillac vehicles. The move has also revived rumors that GM may be preparing to scale back or eventually exit the South Korean market, a fear that has periodically resurfaced since the company shut down its Gunsan plant in 2018 and restructured its operations. Analysts note that reducing its direct service network could further weaken GM Korea’s capacity to maintain customer loyalty and manage quality control locally. Union leaders said they will request a three-way meeting with management and government officials in Incheon on Oct. 28 to discuss the closures. “The company is focusing solely on efficiency, ignoring workers’ livelihoods,” said Ahn Kyu-baek, head of the GM Korea union. GM Korea, however, insists it has no plans to withdraw. The company said it will maintain after-sales services through approximately 300 authorized partner repair shops nationwide. “The task force will serve as a communication channel to ease employee concerns during the sale process,” a company spokesperson said. “We aim to find reasonable solutions through cooperation with the union.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-17 10:23:43
  • Hyundai to face massive tariff costs if US maintains 25% rate on car exports
    Hyundai to face massive tariff costs if US maintains 25% rate on car exports SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor could face massive annual costs of more than 8 trillion won if the U.S. maintains a 25-percent tariff on exports of its vehicles, according to a report by NICE Credit Rating. The report estimated Hyundai's annual tariff burden at 8.4 trillion won if South Korea remains subject to a 25-percent rate, compared to 15 percent for the European Union and Japan. This would make Hyundai's costs the highest among major global automakers, surpassing GM (7 trillion won), Toyota (6.2 trillion won), and Volkswagen (4.6 trillion won). The tariffs could also squeeze Hyundai's operating profit margin from 9.7 percent to 6.3 percent. GM trails Hyundai in tariff costs and declining profits, partly due to its manufacturing facility in South Korea, which shipped about 420,000 vehicles to the U.S. last year. If South Korea's tariff rate is reduced to 15 percent and implemented as initially agreed in July, Hyundai's tariff costs would fall to 5.3 trillion won, with an operating margin of 7.5 percent, suggesting that a swift reduction in tariffs is necessary. Despite these challenges, the report remains optimistic about Hyundai's ability to manage tariff burdens, citing its strong profitability and financial flexibility, but also warns that competitors with lower tariff rates could gain ground in the U.S. market. The potential downturn in the U.S. auto market next year makes tariff reductions more urgent, as current demand fueled by tariff-related price hikes could decline, affecting overall sales. The report concludes that declining sales in major markets combined with increased incentives would further erode automakers' profitability. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-15 09:21:24
  • Hyundai Motors hydrogen truck included among TIME magazines best inventions this year
    Hyundai Motor's hydrogen truck included among TIME magazine's 'best inventions' this year SEOUL, October 10 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor's hydrogen electric truck has been named one of TIME magazine's "Best Inventions" for this year, the automaker said on Friday. The Xcient is an autonomous hydrogen-electric truck developed in collaboration with PlusAI, an American autonomous driving technology company based in California. The vehicle combines Hyundai's hydrogen platform with PlusAI's Level 4 self-driving software, SuperDrive. As the world's first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell, heavy-duty truck, it is equipped with a 350 kW motor, a 180 kW fuel cell stack, and a 72 kWh high-voltage battery. Since its launch in 2020, it has been sold in major global markets including Germany, Switzerland, and the U.S., achieving a cumulative mileage of 15 million kilometers. In the U.S., it has been tested at Hyundai's plants and logistics hubs in Georgia and northern California. Hyundai expects the Xcient to drive the popularity of hydrogen trucks and spur infrastructure development, thanks to its fast charging, long range, and zero emissions. "Our collaboration with PlusAI to build a sustainable long-haul freight ecosystem has led to the Xcient's recognition by TIME," said Park Cheol-yeon, a Hyundai executive. The U.S. magazine annually recognizes innovations that make "the world better, smarter, and more fun." This year's list features 300 "groundbreaking inventions," evaluated on key factors such as "originality, efficacy, ambition, and impact." * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-10 10:13:04
  • GM brings Super Cruise hands-free driving system to South Korea
    GM brings Super Cruise hands-free driving system to South Korea SEOUL, October 01 (AJP) - General Motors on Wednesday introduced its hands-free driver assistance system, Super Cruise, to South Korea, expanding the technology beyond North America and China. The system, which allows hands-free driving under certain conditions, features automatic lane changes and driver monitoring to ensure motorists keep their eyes on the road. In South Korea, it will be available on more than 23,000 kilometers of highways and major roads. To adapt the technology to local conditions, GM created high-definition digital maps of South Korean roads, using LiDAR-based lane mapping to account for sharp curves, bus lanes and construction zones. The system will first be offered in Cadillac models released this year. Super Cruise has logged about 877 million kilometers of driving in North America, where it operates on more than 970,000 kilometers of roads. GM touts the mileage as evidence of the system’s safety record and reliability. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-01 15:41:23