Journalist

Oh Jooseok
  • Hyundai, Kia Set February U.S. Sales Record, Up 5% From a Year Earlier
    Hyundai, Kia Set February U.S. Sales Record, Up 5% From a Year Earlier Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia posted their best-ever February sales in the United States, driven by strong demand for midsize and large SUVs such as the Palisade and Telluride and by hybrid models. The results extended the companies’ monthly sales records to three straight months. Hyundai Motor Group said Tuesday it sold 137,412 vehicles in the U.S. in February, up 5% from a year earlier. Hyundai, including its Genesis luxury brand, sold 71,407 vehicles, a 5.7% increase. Kia sold 66,005, up 4.3%. Hyundai set a February record and notched a third consecutive monthly sales high following records in December and January. Hyundai brand sales totaled 65,677 vehicles, up 5.9%. The Palisade rose 28.4% to 10,025 units, and the Santa Fe increased 18.6% to 11,344. Kia also recorded its best February. Telluride sales jumped 68.7% from a year earlier to 13,198 units after the launch of the second-generation model. The K5 posted 6,053 sales, up 60.6%, and Carnival sales rose 65.4% to 5,805. Genesis sales increased 3.3% to 5,730 vehicles, led by the GV70 with 2,628 units sold. Electrified vehicle sales for Hyundai and Kia climbed 34.7% to 34,855 units in February, accounting for 25.6% of total sales. Hybrid sales rose 56.4% to 29,279 units. Hyundai hybrids increased 73.5% to 18,374, and Kia hybrids rose 34% to 10,905. Electric vehicle sales fell 21.9% to 5,576, including 4,030 for Hyundai and 1,546 for Kia. In February U.S. sales rankings, Toyota led with 180,950 vehicles sold. Hyundai and Kia held second place with 137,412. 2026-03-04 09:51:08
  • Hyundai Opens Whitney Museum Exhibition Hyundai Terrace Commission: Kelly Akashi
    Hyundai Opens Whitney Museum Exhibition 'Hyundai Terrace Commission: Kelly Akashi' Hyundai Motor said Wednesday it will present the third exhibition in its long-term partnership with the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, “Hyundai Terrace Commission: Kelly Akashi,” from March 8 (local time) through Aug. 23. The Hyundai Terrace Commission is a program launched in 2024 by Hyundai Motor and the Whitney to give artists and curators room for creative experimentation beyond conventional formats, the company said. Akashi, the third artist selected for the commission, was born in the United States in 1983 and is based in Los Angeles. She has worked with materials including glass, bronze and stone, exploring themes of life and the limits of existence. For the Whitney presentation, Akashi will introduce new works spanning installation, sculpture and animation, drawing on personal experience. The exhibition centers on “Monument (Altadena)” (2026), which reconstructs in glass bricks a chimney and the walkway leading to it — the only part left after a wildfire in northern Los Angeles in January last year destroyed the artist’s home and studio. Installed on the museum’s fifth-floor terrace, the work reframes the space as a site for reflection on survival, loss and the incompleteness of what remains. Also on view is “Inheritance (Distressed)” (2026), inspired by the lace doily of the artist’s grandmother that was lost in the same fire. The work raises questions about how inherited legacies should be treated and remembered. The exhibition’s broader material inquiry into traces, memory and aftereffects extends to an animated work, “Remnants (Constellations)” (2026), shown on a large outdoor media wall on the terrace. “Rebuilding is not simply restoration, but a practice that symbolizes devoted labor and a dialogue with history,” Akashi said. “The process of stacking bricks one by one projects memory itself, and memory regains meaning through constant attention and patience.” “Each brick contains a record of the labor and transformation it has undergone, and together they become a new presence that holds traces of the past,” she said. Whitney curator Marcela Guerrero said Akashi “skillfully handles a range of materials, including glass and steel, and has harmoniously realized the conceptual and technical completeness essential to large-scale outdoor sculpture.” A Hyundai Motor official said the company hopes the exhibition will prompt audiences to reconsider the relationship between individuals and communities and to explore the possibility of genuine solidarity, in line with the commission’s aim of bringing artistic inspiration to more people.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 09:03:23
  • Chevrolet Launches 2026 Trax Crossover RS Ignite Edition, Opens Preorders
    Chevrolet Launches 2026 Trax Crossover RS Ignite Edition, Opens Preorders Chevrolet said Tuesday it has launched the 2026 Trax Crossover “RS Ignite Edition” and begun taking preorders. The RS Ignite Edition was planned with inspiration from a rear red LED black bowtie emblem designed to stand out at night. Based on the RS trim — short for Rally Sport — the special edition combines red accents with carbon-look details to set its exterior apart. Inside, it applies an RS black-and-red-point interior and adds a black headliner for a more unified look, Chevrolet said. Chevrolet has been expanding color choices for the 2026 Trax Crossover, introducing “Mochaccino Beige” on the RS and ACTIV trims and “Chili Pepper Red” on the RS trim. It also offers connected features including OnStar-based over-the-air vehicle software updates. The RS Ignite Edition is priced at 28.86 million won, based on an individual consumption tax rate of 3.5%. Preorders are being accepted starting March 4 through Chevrolet showrooms nationwide.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 08:27:15
  • Middle East Tensions Lift Demand for South Korea’s Cheongung-II Air Defense System
    Middle East Tensions Lift Demand for South Korea’s Cheongung-II Air Defense System U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran have heightened security concerns across the Middle East, driving up demand for air defense weapons. South Korea’s Cheongung-II, which has expanded its export footprint in the region over the past two to three years, has now been deployed in combat, drawing attention as a lower-cost option with faster delivery.  The defense industry said Tuesday that the United Arab Emirates used the South Korean-made medium-range surface-to-air guided weapon system to intercept multiple Iranian missiles. With forecasts that Iran could fire ballistic missiles toward countries near U.S. forces, the UAE fielded Cheongung-II and it was used operationally, the industry said. The UAE’s air defense network is known to include the U.S.-made Patriot, Israel’s Arrow and South Korea’s Cheongung-II. The UAE military said its overall interception rate across its air defense systems was above 90%. Often described as a Korean version of the Patriot, Cheongung-II is a medium-range surface-to-air missile system jointly produced by LIG Nex1, Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems. If wartime demand accelerates local deployment, related sales are expected to be reflected starting this year. Cheongung-II entered mass production in 2024, and some units have been delivered to the UAE since last year. LIG Nex1, the lead contractor, has signed deals with the UAE (about $3.5 billion in January 2022), Saudi Arabia (about $3.5 billion in November 2023) and Iraq (about $2.5 billion in September 2024), securing a Middle East order backlog of about $9.5 billion (10.2 trillion won) tied to Cheongung-II. The system is a so-called “K-one team” project involving major South Korean defense firms. LIG Nex1 handles system integration and the operations control center; Hanwha Systems supplies the multifunction radar; Hanwha Aerospace provides launchers and munitions. Kia supplies the vehicle platform. Cheongung-II is widely seen as costing about half as much as the U.S. Patriot, helping it gain traction in the Middle East, where demand for guided weapons is high. The push by some countries to reduce reliance on a single supplier has also supported broader interest in South Korean defense exports. Chae Un-saem, an analyst at Hana Securities, said Lockheed Martin’s Patriot PAC-3 surface-to-air missiles have an annual production capacity of about 600 rounds despite plans to increase output. “The unit price is also very high at $4 million, making it more than twice as expensive as Korea’s Cheongung,” Chae said. South Korea recently signed a $35 billion memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation with the UAE, adding to expectations of further exports. Details were not disclosed, but forecasts have pointed to additional contracts for medium- and long-range weapons to build a layered air defense network. Experts said continued instability in the region could keep export momentum going for South Korean defense companies. Nam Myeong-ryeol, head of Korea University’s K-Defense Industry Center, said tensions are rising as Iran attacks not only Israel but also multiple areas where U.S. forces are stationed. “More Middle Eastern countries are likely to seek South Korean weapons that combine performance and price competitiveness, fast delivery, and the ability to operate and sustain the systems,” he said. 2026-03-03 18:04:48
  • South Korea’s 5 Automakers’ February Sales Fall 4.6% From a Year Earlier
    South Korea’s 5 Automakers’ February Sales Fall 4.6% From a Year Earlier South Korea’s five automakers posted lower sales in February, returning to a decline as the Lunar New Year holiday reduced the number of business days. Hyundai Motor, Kia, GM Korea, Renault Korea and KG Mobility (KGM) said on Tuesday they sold a combined 602,689 vehicles last month — 95,702 in South Korea and 506,987 overseas. That was down 4.6% from a year earlier. Hyundai’s global sales totaled 306,528 vehicles, down 5.1% year over year. Kia sold 247,401 vehicles, a 2.8% decline. The companies cited fewer selling days during the holiday period, along with weaker electric-vehicle sales in global markets. Combined domestic sales for the five automakers fell 14.8% from a year earlier. KGM was the only company to post growth, up 38.3%, helped by demand for its new Musso pickup. The others reported declines: Hyundai down 17.8%, Kia down 8.6%, GM Korea down 37.4% and Renault Korea down 59.0%. Overseas sales slipped 2.3%; Renault Korea rose 55.4%, while the other four companies posted year-over-year decreases. In South Korea, the best-selling model in February was Kia’s Sorento with 7,693 units. It was followed by Hyundai’s Porter (4,634), Hyundai’s Sonata (4,436), Kia’s PV5 (3,967) and Hyundai’s Grandeur (3,933). 2026-03-03 17:51:47
  • KG Mobility February Sales Fall 2.6% to 8,237 on Export Slump
    KG Mobility February Sales Fall 2.6% to 8,237 on Export Slump KG Mobility (KGM) said Tuesday it sold 8,237 vehicles in February, down 2.6% from a year earlier. Domestic sales rose 38.3% to 3,701 units, while overseas sales fell 21% to 4,536. KGM said its domestic performance improved on higher deliveries of the Musso, launched in January. February marked the company’s strongest monthly domestic sales in five months, since September last year (4,100 units). Musso sales increased 24% from the previous month to 1,393 units, following 1,123 in January. Exports of the Torres EVX rose 22% from the prior month to 1,445 units, but total exports edged lower overall. KGM said it plans to boost sales by strengthening customer engagement and brand communication at home, rolling out new models such as the Musso, and stepping up efforts in export markets.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-03 17:09:06
  • GM Korea February Sales Fall 7.6% to 36,630 Vehicles
    GM Korea February Sales Fall 7.6% to 36,630 Vehicles GM Korea said Tuesday it sold 36,630 vehicles in February, down 7.6% from a year earlier. Domestic sales stayed below 1,000 units for a second straight month, following January. Overseas sales totaled 35,703 vehicles, about 97.5% of the company’s February volume. Exports of the Chevrolet Trailblazer, including derivative models, rose 7.8% from a year earlier to 13,004 units. In South Korea, GM Korea sold 927 vehicles, a 37.4% drop from a year earlier. The Chevrolet Trax Crossover led domestic results with 771 units. Gustavo Colossi, vice president for sales, service and marketing at GM Korea, said the company has prepared special promotions for March as the spring season begins, aiming to expand opportunities for customers to experience the competitiveness of Chevrolet products.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-03 16:54:08
  • Renault Korea February Sales Fall 36.2% to 3,893 Vehicles
    Renault Korea February Sales Fall 36.2% to 3,893 Vehicles Renault Korea said its combined domestic and overseas sales in February fell 36.2% from a year earlier. The automaker said Tuesday it sold 3,893 vehicles last month, including 2,000 in South Korea and 1,893 for export. Domestic sales fell 59% from 4,881 a year earlier, while exports rose 55.4% from 1,218. Total sales were down from 6,099. In the domestic market, the midsize SUV Grand Koleos led sales with 1,474 units sold in February. Renault Korea’s new E-segment crossover, the Filante, had sold a cumulative roughly 7,000 units through the end of February, with deliveries to begin in phases starting in the second week of this month. The coupe-style SUV Arkana sold 336 units last month. The compact electric SUV Scenic E-Tech 100% Electric, built in France and sold domestically since August with a limited run of 999 units, posted 150 sales in February, exhausting all available inventory. Exports in February included 847 Grand Koleos units (export name: New Renault Koleos) and 546 Arkanas. The company also said it completed shipment of 500 units of Polestar’s electric performance SUV, the Polestar 4, bound for North America. 2026-03-03 16:30:18
  • Hyundai Mobis Showcases Braking, Steering Tech at Sweden Winter Test Site
    Hyundai Mobis Showcases Braking, Steering Tech at Sweden Winter Test Site Hyundai Mobis is using the deep winter conditions of northern Europe to strengthen its push into the global auto market. The company said Tuesday it is holding a technology demonstration for global customers at its winter test site in Arjeplog, Sweden. The event has been under way in stages since Feb. 27 local time. About 100 representatives from more than 10 customers in Europe and North America are expected to visit. European automakers on site are known to be showing interest in Hyundai Mobis’ next-generation braking system, which the company plans to mass-produce this year. Hyundai Mobis is demonstrating new products it is discussing for orders or plans to supply by installing them on demo vehicles, then showcasing performance through driving evaluations. The Sweden facility spans 1.7 million square meters and includes 14 tracks designed to simulate snow-covered and icy roads. It also has a workshop for specialized calibration and repairs, allowing real-time feedback to be reflected in adjustments. Arjeplog, a small city in northern Sweden about 7,000 kilometers from South Korea, is home to winter test operations run mainly by European automakers. Hyundai Mobis said it has dispatched large research and development teams there each year from January to March since 2006 to validate key components and advanced technologies. This year, it has transported more than 80 vehicles to the site and is carrying out more than 60 projects. The company said it uses the site to determine whether components under development meet evaluation standards in extreme cold, and to verify autonomous-driving sensors, controllers and algorithms. It also said joint early development of key components with customers ahead of new vehicle launches is increasing. “Customers visiting the winter test site are expressing satisfaction after riding in demo vehicles equipped with Hyundai Mobis solutions for key components such as braking and steering,” a Hyundai Mobis official said. The official said the company plans to underscore to global customers that its competitiveness in key components is backed by large-scale R&D investment and a rigorous quality verification system. Hyundai Mobis also operates a winter test site in the Heihe area of Heilongjiang province in northern China to validate key components for China-market models. In summer, it leases a test site in Wanaka in southern New Zealand to conduct year-round validation under assumed extreme cold conditions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-03 11:03:34
  • Korea Auto Journalists Association Names Ryu Jong-eun of SamproTV as New President
    Korea Auto Journalists Association Names Ryu Jong-eun of SamproTV as New President The Korea Auto Journalists Association said Tuesday that Ryu Jong-eun, a reporter at SamproTV elected as its 12th president, has begun his term this month. The association said Ryu was the sole candidate during its nomination period, held from Dec. 29 to Jan. 5. He was elected at the association’s annual general meeting on Feb. 5 at the Korea Transportation Safety Authority’s Automobile Safety Research Institute in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province. His three-year term runs from March 1, 2026. Ryu began his journalism career in 2011 at News1 and later worked at ETNews and The Korea Herald, covering social affairs, business and industry. Since 2023, he has covered autos, mobility, batteries, robotics and AI at SamproTV. Within the association, he has served as chair of the ethics committee, chair of the Car of the Year selection committee and chair of the academic committee. “In a rapidly changing media and mobility environment, I will work to make the association a practical hub of knowledge that keeps pace with change,” Ryu said. He pledged to strengthen training for new and early-career reporters, expand cooperation with the National Assembly, government and academia, and increase opportunities for global field visits to deliver results members can feel. At the Feb. 5 general meeting, the association also appointed new officers. Kim Ki-beom, editor-in-chief of Roadtest, and Lee Seung-yong, editor-in-chief of Motor Magazine, were named directors. Bae Dong-jin, head of the Seoul bureau of the Busan Ilbo, and Choi Ki-sung, deputy editor at MaeKyung AX, were elected auditors. The executive team was also reshuffled: Lee Yong-sang of the Kukmin Ilbo was named senior vice president; Yang Seong-un of Metro Newspaper, vice president; Won Seon-woong, editor-in-chief of Global Auto News, chair of the Car of the Year committee; Kim Yeon-ji of MediaPen and Choi Jeong-pil, editor-in-chief of Car Magazine, vice chairs of that committee; Cho A-reum of The Korea Herald, ethics committee chair; Chu Dong-hoon of Maeil Business Newspaper, external cooperation committee chair; Park Ki-beom of News1, academic committee chair; Kim Jae-seong of ZDNet Korea and Pyeon Eun-ji of Dailian, vice chairs of the academic committee; and Choi Yu-bin of Donghaeng Media Sidae, secretary. Founded in 2010, the Korea Auto Journalists Association aims to promote responsible automotive journalism, encourage a sound car culture, improve reporters’ professional skills and expand exchanges among members. It has 60 member outlets, including major newspapers, broadcasters, wire services, online media and automotive publications, with about 200 reporters active.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-03 10:25:15