Journalist

Han Ji-hyun
  • Hyundai, Kia October sales fall in Europe despite market growth
    Hyundai, Kia October sales fall in Europe despite market growth SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor and Kia reported lower vehicle sales in Europe in October even as the regional market expanded, according to data released Tuesday by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association. The two automakers sold a combined 81,540 vehicles last month, down 1.4 percent from a year earlier. Hyundai’s sales slipped 1.4 percent to 41,137 units, while Kia posted a 2 percent decline to 40,403 units. Their combined market share fell to 7.5 percent, a drop of 0.5 percentage points from a year ago. Hyundai’s share eased to 3.8 percent, down 0.2 points, and Kia’s declined 0.3 points to 3.7 percent. The overall European market, however, grew 4.9 percent to 1,091,904 units. Hyundai’s top performers included the Tucson (9,959 units), Kona (6,717), and i10 (3,877). Kia’s bestsellers were the Sportage (11,960), Ceed (6,271), and EV3 (5,463). In the eco-friendly segment, Hyundai sold 6,536 units of the Tucson, 5,275 of the Kona, and 2,704 of the Casper Electric. Kia’s EV3 led its green lineup with 5,463 units, followed by the Niro at 3,635 and the EV4 at 1,410. From January to October, Hyundai and Kia’s cumulative European sales fell 2.8 percent to 879,479 units. Hyundai sold 443,364 vehicles during the period, down 1.5 percent, while Kia’s total dropped 4.1 percent to 436,115. Their combined market share for the first 10 months stood at 8 percent, down 0.4 percentage points from a year earlier. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-25 15:09:36
  • Kias EV6 GT outperforms Model Y, Polestar 4 in German magazines comparison test
    Kia's EV6 GT outperforms Model Y, Polestar 4 in German magazine's comparison test SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - Kia’s high-performance EV6 GT has topped a comparative test by German automotive magazine Auto Motor und Sport, outperforming Tesla’s Model Y and the Polestar 4, the company said Tuesday. The publication, one of Germany’s most influential auto outlets, assessed the three models across seven categories: body, safety, comfort, powertrain, driving performance, environmental performance, and cost. The EV6 GT scored 597 points overall, ahead of the Model Y’s 574 points and the Polestar 4’s 550. Kia’s flagship EV delivered particularly strong results in the powertrain and driving performance categories, which examine output, acceleration, dynamics and handling. The EV6 GT delivers up to 448 kW — rising to 478 kW with launch control — outpacing the Model Y’s 378 kW and the Polestar 4’s 400 kW. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, beating the Model Y’s 5 seconds and the Polestar 4’s 3.8 seconds. Mid-range acceleration was also a standout: the EV6 GT reached 62 mph from 37 mph in 1.5 seconds, faster than both rivals. The model also led the safety category, posting the shortest braking distance from 62 mph at 33.6 meters. The Model Y recorded 36.1 meters and the Polestar 4 stopped at 37.1 meters. “We are pleased that the EV6 GT performed so strongly against established competitors in a respected German publication,” a Kia spokesperson said. “We will continue expanding our EV lineup to deliver new electrification experiences to our customers.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-25 10:13:20
  • South Koreas Hanjin expands support for US veterans
    South Korea's Hanjin expands support for US veterans SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - South Korea's Hanjin Group marked Veterans Day this year by reaffirming its support for Semper Fi & America’s Fund, a nonprofit that assists wounded and ill service members and their families. The company said Wednesday it hosted a ceremony on Nov. 12 to pledge continued backing for the organization. The event drew Hanjin President Cho Hyun-min, Chief Executive Noh Sam-seok, senior leaders from the fund and a group of Vietnam War veterans. The company said the gathering is an effort to honor its decades-long connection with the U.S. military, dating to the 1960s when Hanjin’s predecessor handled logistics operations for American forces during the Vietnam War. This year’s donation will go toward foldable electric tricycles intended to improve mobility for elderly veterans. Hanjin and the fund plan to work together to identify recipients for future aid programs. This follows a similar outreach effort in September, when Hanjin donated computers, books and scholarships to a school in Quy Nhon, Vietnam, to support students from low-income families. “As we celebrate our 80th anniversary, we are reflecting on our origins and trying to build bridges between the past, present and future,” the company said in a press release. “As a global logistics provider, we remain committed to supporting communities and advancing human welfare wherever we operate.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-19 10:18:20
  • Hyundai Motor Group bets big on driverless cars, humanoid robots
    Hyundai Motor Group bets big on driverless cars, humanoid robots SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group is making one of the most aggressive wagers yet on artificial intelligence in the global auto industry, unveiling plans to spend roughly 51 trillion won — about $38 billion — in the coming years to build an AI-driven manufacturing ecosystem centered on autonomous vehicles and humanoid robots. The investment, stretching from 2026 to 2030, signals the company’s belief that the automobile is rapidly evolving from a machine designed for transport into a mobile platform that reshapes how people use their time. At the same time, Hyundai is betting that factories — long optimized for speed and cost — will soon need to operate with a level of autonomy that mirrors the vehicles they produce. “Our mid- to long-term goal is to establish AI infrastructure and an advanced AI robotics value chain to transform the automotive industry,” a Hyundai official said. A cornerstone of Hyundai’s plan is a high-power AI data center capable of processing the staggering volumes of information produced by autonomous vehicles and physical robots. This facility will store petabyte-scale datasets and train models that must continuously interpret a shifting world: road conditions, human behavior, mechanical wear, and countless other variables. The company is also building what it calls a “Physical AI Application Center,” designed as a proving ground where robots can be tested for safety and reliability before being deployed to industrial settings. Hyundai says this will support a new business in customized robots and AI-based manufacturing services — including foundry operations and tailored machine designs. The move comes as South Korea — despite its strengths in semiconductors and advanced manufacturing — lacks dedicated research hubs in physical AI. That gap has left Hyundai trailing competitors in the United States and China, where companies like Tesla, Boston Dynamics, now owned by Hyundai but still U.S.-based in origin, and several Chinese EV makers are racing ahead on autonomous driving and humanoid robotics. Hyundai argues that building out AI infrastructure is no longer optional. Autonomous vehicles rely on dense networks of cameras, sensors, and high-precision maps to make rapid decisions in unpredictable environments. In factories, humanoid robots must identify hazards in real time and adapt to complex work routines once reserved only for humans. The company says the long-term goal is to collapse the boundaries between Hyundai’s products and the factories that build them. In this vision, autonomous cars and factory robots feed data into shared AI systems that optimize not only manufacturing but the vehicles’ own performance on the road. It is a sweeping reimagination of the auto business — one in which software and physical intelligence drive value, and where the factory floor becomes as important as the showroom. “Integrating vehicles and factories into a single intelligent ecosystem is essential for the future of mobility,” a company representative said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-18 09:23:33
  • Hanwha Aerospace takes command of Koreas first privately led rocket launch
    Hanwha Aerospace takes command of Korea's first privately led rocket launch SEOUL, November 17 (AJP) - South Korea is gearing up for the launch of its fourth Nuri rocket on Nov. 27, a milestone that marks the country’s transition from government-led space projects to a growing private-sector ecosystem. Officials say the shift is expected to open new export opportunities for domestic defense and aerospace companies as global demand for launch services accelerates. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute said the rocket is scheduled to lift off between 00:54 a.m. and 1:14 a.m. from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province. For the first time, the mission will be led not by the government but by Hanwha Aerospace, underscoring the private sector’s expanding role in South Korea’s space ambitions. The upcoming mission features major upgrades from the third launch, including a payload increase to 960 kilograms. Nuri will carry the next-generation satellite along with 12 CubeSats from universities, research institutions and private firms. Engineers have also modified the rocket to carry more satellites, reduce vibration and broaden camera coverage. Hanwha Aerospace — working with more than 300 companies, including Korea Aerospace Industries and Hancom InSpace — is at the center of efforts to build a domestic launch-vehicle supply chain. “We aim to lead the private space economy by securing core technologies and operational know-how through the fourth to sixth launches,” a company official said. The commercial potential is substantial. McKinsey & Company forecasts the global space industry will surge from $600 billion in 2023 to $2 trillion by 2035, driven by satellite services, launch demand and new applications in communications and defense. Industry analysts say South Korea must establish a competitive value chain to capture a share of that growth, citing the cost-cutting achievements of SpaceX and Blue Origin as models. Defense officials view Nuri’s fourth flight as a critical test of South Korea’s ability to secure a foothold in the commercial launch market. “This year marks the beginning of the private space economy,” one industry insider said. “Hanwha Aerospace and domestic defense companies are positioning themselves to push Korea into the next space age.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-17 09:59:35
  • BMW overtakes Tesla as top-selling imported car brand in South Korea
    BMW overtakes Tesla as top-selling imported car brand in South Korea SEOUL, November 05 (AJP) - BMW has overtaken Tesla to become South Korea’s best-selling imported car brand, as demand for foreign-made vehicles continued to rise this year despite a slowdown in October sales. According to data released Wednesday by the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA), registrations of new imported passenger cars totaled 24,064 in October, up 13.2 percent from a year earlier. The figure, however, marked a 26.7 percent decline from September’s 32,834 units, a drop attributed largely to fewer business days due to the long Chuseok holiday period. Cumulative sales from January through October reached 249,412 vehicles, a 15.5 percent increase from the same period last year. BMW led the pack with 6,177 units sold in October, followed by Mercedes-Benz with 5,838 and Tesla with 4,350. The top 10 brands also included Volvo, Lexus, BYD, Toyota, Audi, Mini, and Porsche — underscoring the continued dominance of European automakers in the market. The Tesla Model Y Long Range was October’s best-selling individual model, with 2,424 units sold, trailed by the Mercedes-Benz E 200 and the BMW 520. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-05 11:10:55
  • Kias profit plunges as US tariffs, strong dollar weigh on margins
    Kia's profit plunges as US tariffs, strong dollar weigh on margins SEOUL, October 31 (AJP) - South Korean automaker Kia reported a steep drop in quarterly profit despite record revenue and global sales, Friday, as higher tariffs and currency fluctuations eroded margins in key markets. The company said its operating profit for the third quarter fell 49.2 percent from a year earlier to 1.46 trillion won ($1.06 billion), even as revenue climbed 8.2 percent to 28.69 trillion won. Net profit declined 37.3 percent to 1.42 trillion won. “Despite record sales and revenue driven by rising global demand for hybrid and electric vehicles, profits were affected by U.S. tariffs, higher global incentives and exchange rate volatility,” Kia said in a press release. Global sales rose 2.8 percent from a year earlier to 785,137 vehicles. Domestic sales jumped 10.2 percent, led by high-margin recreational vehicles such as the Sorento and Carnival and the new EV4. Overseas deliveries increased 1.4 percent, supported by strong hybrid demand in the United States and higher sales in emerging markets in Asia and South America. In western Europe, production adjustments at Kia’s Slovakia plant offset solid demand for the EV3, while sales in India fell as buyers delayed purchases in anticipation of a possible reduction in the goods and services tax. Eco-friendly vehicles accounted for more than a quarter of total sales, rising 32.3 percent to 204,000 units. The company sold 118,000 hybrids, up 40.9 percent; 17,000 plug-in hybrids, down 2.6 percent; and 70,000 fully electric vehicles, up 30 percent. Kia said it plans to expand its hybrid lineup and introduce new electric models to reinforce its position in the global market amid trade and policy uncertainties. In South Korea, the company will focus on high-margin hybrid RVs and the upcoming EV5, while in the United States it plans to broaden its hybrid offerings to meet shifting regulatory and consumer trends. In Europe, Kia aims to strengthen its EV portfolio with new models, and in India, it intends to grow its dealer network and introduce additional vehicles, company officials said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-31 14:36:32
  • Hyundai Motor expands ties with Japans Toray to develop future mobility technologies
    Hyundai Motor expands ties with Japan's Toray to develop future mobility technologies SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group said Monday it has signed an agreement with Japan’s Toray Group to collaborate on the development of advanced materials for next-generation mobility, from high-performance vehicles to lunar rovers and humanoid robots. The agreement was formalized at Hyundai’s headquarters in Seoul, with Kim Heung-soo, Hyundai’s head of global strategy, and Terada Miki, Toray’s senior executive vice president, in attendance. The partnership expands on the two companies’ existing collaboration, launched in April, to develop high-performance composite materials such as carbon fiber reinforced plastics — key to improving vehicle performance, safety, and efficiency. Under the new deal, Hyundai will oversee design and performance evaluation through its research and development center, while Toray will lead the development of next-generation carbon fiber composites. Together, the companies aim to accelerate innovation and open new market opportunities in future mobility technologies. “This agreement marks a significant milestone in our partnership, combining our strengths to innovate from research to commercialization,” Kim said in a statement. Toray’s Terada added that the company intends to enhance global competitiveness by creating innovative composite solutions with Hyundai. Hyundai officials said the collaboration underscores Hyundai’s broader push to expand beyond traditional carmaking and position itself as a leader in advanced mobility technologies — a strategy that now reaches from electric vehicles to aerospace and robotics. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-27 09:57:32
  • Korean Air partners with US startup to develop vertical takeoff, landing aircraft
    Korean Air partners with US startup to develop vertical takeoff, landing aircraft SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - Korean Air said Tuesday it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S.-based startup Archer Aviation to jointly develop advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft. The agreement, signed Monday at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2025, outlines plans to adapt Archer’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, known as Midnight, for government and defense applications. The model is designed for rapid personnel and cargo transport in short-range missions. Under the partnership, Korean Air will contribute its expertise in aircraft modification, maintenance, repair and overhaul — capabilities that could help accelerate the integration of eVTOL technology into both civilian and military operations. “This agreement is a significant step in securing next-generation aviation mobility technology for both civilian and military use,” said Lim Jin-kyu, head of Korean Air’s Aerospace Business Division. “We will work closely with Archer to meet the practical needs of our government and contribute to the development of the domestic aviation industry.” Archer Chief Executive Adam Goldstein called Korean Air “an ideal partner with aerospace expertise and strategic vision,” adding that the collaboration could produce “an AAM solution optimized for Korea.” The deal underscores growing interest among South Korean companies in electric and autonomous flight systems as governments worldwide race to commercialize AAM services. For Korean Air, the partnership signals a diversification beyond traditional aviation into emerging defense and mobility technologies that could define the next era of air transport. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-21 10:13:43
  • Top touring car drivers to compete in Inje of South Korea Oct. 18-19
    Top touring car drivers to compete in Inje of South Korea Oct. 18-19 SEOUL, October 14 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor will co-host the Inje World Touring Car Festival with Inje County in Gangwon Province this weekend, marking the first time South Korea will host the FIA TCR World Tour, one of the world’s premier touring car championships. The two-day event, set for Oct. 18–19 at the Inje Speedium, will combine three major races — the Hyundai N Festival, the FIA TCR World Tour, and TCR Asia — turning the circuit into a global stage for high-performance motorsports. The Hyundai N Festival, South Korea’s largest one-make racing series, features identical car models competing across three divisions: Gran Turismo eN1, Kumho N1, and Nexen N2. This year’s fourth round will showcase race cars based on the Ioniq 5 N and Avante N, underscoring Hyundai’s push to highlight both electric and combustion performance models. The FIA TCR World Tour’s South Korean debut will coincide with the sixth round of the global series and the fifth round of TCR Asia, bringing together elite drivers from across continents. Among the headline competitors are Hyundai BRC Team World Champion Norbert Michelisz, Mikel Azcona, and Nestor Girolami, alongside top Asian racers including South Korea’s Park Jun-ui, Park Jun-seong, and Choi Jung-won. Hyundai has been a key player in the TCR series since 2018, fielding the i30 N and Avante N TCR race cars, and claiming two team championships and five driver titles. The Avante N TCR most recently won the fifth round in Australia last September. Beyond the races, the festival will feature interactive programs for fans. Family-oriented attractions will also be available. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-14 14:30:13