Hyundai Motor Group sees China sales rebound SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor’s operations in China are showing signs of recovery, supported by rebounding domestic sales and a strategy to turn its Chinese plants into export hubs. The pickup in vehicle production is also lifting parts maker Hyundai Mobis, which is on track to surpass 4 trillion won in China revenue for the first time in five years. Beijing Hyundai Motor, Hyundai’s China joint venture, sold 12,016 vehicles in November, up 71.7 percent from about 7,000 units a year earlier, according to industry officials, Friday. Monthly sales have increased steadily in the second half of the year, exceeding 10,000 units for four consecutive months since August. The Elantra, marketed in South Korea as the Avante, led sales with cumulative deliveries of 55,094 units through November. The Tucson sport utility vehicle also rebounded, recording monthly sales of more than 2,000 units since the start of the second half. A Hyundai Motor official said the company is focusing on models that can improve profitability, including a refreshed Tucson and an updated model-year Custo. Exports have emerged as another key growth driver. Cumulative exports through November totaled 60,573 units, up 55.4 percent from a year earlier, supporting higher plant utilization. Beijing Hyundai's total sales this year have climbed 13.8 percent to 176,130 units, already surpassing its full-year total for last year. Kia’s China operations have also improved. Cumulative sales through October rose 5.2 percent from a year earlier to 210,175 units, with the automaker posting steady growth since 2023. The recovery at Hyundai and Kia has translated into stronger results for Hyundai Mobis. The auto parts supplier posted cumulative China revenue of 2.8 trillion won through the third quarter, up 16.7 percent from a year earlier. That marked its highest third-quarter cumulative figure since 2020, when it reached 2.81 trillion won, putting an annual return to the 4 trillion won level within reach. In 2020, Hyundai Mobis recorded annual China revenue of 4.11 trillion won. Beyond affiliate-related demand, Hyundai Mobis is seeking to expand orders from Chinese automakers. To strengthen its China business, the company has selected eight strategic products for eight key customers and aims to quadruple local original equipment parts orders by 2028. Hyundai Mobis CEO Lee Gyu-seok said at the company’s CEO Investor Day in August that he would intensify efforts in emerging markets, including China and India, by developing locally tailored specifications and reinforcing its parts supply chain. 2025-12-19 08:33:10

Weapons testing deal to sharpen KF-21 fighter jet's strike capability SEOUL, December 18 (AJP) - Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) said on Thursday it has signed a contract with South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to conduct additional weapons testing for the KF-21 fighter jet. The contract is valued at 685.9 billion won ($500 million) and is intended to support continued development of the aircraft by enabling flight-test verification of air-to-ground capabilities, KAI said. The additional weapons testing program will run through December 2028. Under the plan, testing and performance verification will expand the KF-21’s operational envelope from its current focus on air-to-air weapons to include air-to-ground armaments. KAI said it will also conduct tests of air-to-ground functions for the aircraft’s active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and other core avionics, with the goal of securing broader combat capability by the end of the program. Based on the test results, KAI said it plans to begin sequentially fielding air-to-ground capabilities from the first half of 2027, earlier than the original target of the end of 2028. The expanded weapons capability is expected to enhance the KF-21’s competitiveness in the global fighter aircraft market and increase interest from overseas customers, the company said. KAI is currently producing the first mass-production batch of the KF-21, with deliveries to the South Korean Air Force scheduled to begin sequentially in the second half of 2026. The company said a number of countries, including those in the Middle East and Southeast Asia that already operate the FA-50 light attack aircraft, have expressed strong interest in the KF-21. “Successfully carrying out the phased test and evaluation of additional KF-21 armaments will provide an opportunity to demonstrate testing and verification capabilities tailored to future customer requirements,” KAI CEO Cha Jae-byung said. 2025-12-18 16:03:16

Hyundai Motor Group conducts executive reshuffle, naming 4 new presidents SEOUL, December 18 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group on Thursday carried out its regular executive reshuffle, promoting four senior executives to the rank of president. Manfred Harrer was promoted to president and continues to serve as head of the research and development divisions at Hyundai Motor and Kia Corp. Born in 1972, Harrer holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Munich University of Applied Sciences and a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the University of Bath in the United Kingdom. Before joining Hyundai Motor Group last year, Harrer worked at Porsche AG, where he served as vice president overseeing chassis and advanced driver-assistance systems development. He later led vehicle integration for Apple Inc.’s electric vehicle development project. Since joining the group, Harrer has led efforts to strengthen core vehicle performance as vice president in charge of vehicle development within the R&D division. As R&D chief, Harrer is expected to work closely with software and related divisions to further enhance the group’s technological competitiveness, particularly in its push toward software-defined vehicles. Jung Jun-cheol was promoted to president and named head of the manufacturing division at Hyundai Motor and Kia. He oversees the Manufacturing Solution Division, which is responsible for production technology, as well as the Purchasing Division, a key function for profitability and supply-chain management. Hyundai Motor Group said Jung is expected to focus on building a software-centered production system and advancing next-generation manufacturing technologies, including robotics. Yoon Seung-kyu was promoted to president and will serve as head of Kia America. He previously led the automaker’s sales operations in the United States and Canada. The group credited Yoon with delivering more than 8 percent year-on-year growth in retail sales despite a challenging competitive environment, helping strengthen Kia’s position in the global market. Lee Bo-ryong was promoted to president and named chief executive officer-designate of Hyundai Steel. With more than three decades of experience in the steel industry, Lee has held senior roles across production, R&D and business operations. Lee’s engineering background and broad operational experience position him to enhance Hyundai Steel’s future competitiveness through the steady execution of large-scale strategic investments in facilities and technology, the company said. 2025-12-18 13:51:18

Ferrari selects Samsung Display OLED panels for next-generation vehicles SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - Ferrari will adopt automotive organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels from Samsung Display for its next-generation vehicles, as the luxury sports carmaker seeks to enhance in-car digital experiences through advanced display technology. The Italian automaker said Tuesday Samsung Display’s panels were selected for their ability to support the innovative designs and form factors required for Ferrari’s future models. “Samsung Display’s expertise in designing and manufacturing thin and lightweight OLED panels is a clear advantage in enhancing the digital environment of Ferrari’s next-generation models,” Ernesto Lasalandra, Ferrari’s chief research and development officer, said in a statement. “In the luxury segment, improving the customer experience is key, and Samsung’s support was essential in introducing unprecedented custom advanced display solutions in the automotive industry,” he added. Lasalandra said the partnership reflects broader industry trends, including digitalization, user experience and premium branding, and highlights the growing role of cross-industry technology collaboration in driving automotive innovation. Park Jin-woo, executive vice president of Samsung Display, said the agreement underscores the South Korean company’s technological leadership in advanced displays. “When thinking of the world’s most iconic high-performance sports cars, Ferrari is the brand that comes to mind,” Park said, adding that both companies share values of passion, continuous innovation and a commitment to excellence. “Through this partnership, we aim to deliver exceptional value to consumers and further strengthen Samsung Display’s position as a leader in next-generation display innovation,” he said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-16 14:27:57

Korean Air chief donates 100 million won to athletes ahead of Winter Olympics SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) - Hanjin Group chairman and Korean Air president Cho Won-tae on Monday donated 100 Korean million (about US$70,000) to support athletes preparing for the upcoming Winter Olympics in northern Italy in February next year. Cho, who currently serves as Vice President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, toured key facilities at a national team training center in Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province, encouraging athletes including short-track speed skaters and coaches. Cho has also led the Korea Volleyball Federation since 2017, with the country's flagship carrier actively supporting sports through its men's professional volleyball team and women's table tennis team. Meanwhile, the quadrennial sporting event on snow and ice will kick off its month-long run in Cortina d'Ampezzo and Milan on Feb. 6. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-15 15:32:00

Veteran German engineer to lead Hyundai Motor Group's R&D SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group is preparing to name Manfred Harrer, its vice president for vehicle development, as the new head of research and development, industry sources said on Thursday. Harrer is expected to be promoted to president and take charge of the R&D division as part of the automaker’s annual executive reshuffle, according to officials at Hyundai’s Namyang R&D Center. The group’s current R&D chief, Yang Hee-won, is scheduled to hold a retirement ceremony on Dec. 15 at the Namyang facility. A veteran engineer with 25 years of experience at Audi, BMW and Porsche, Harrer also worked on Apple’s long-running electric vehicle initiative before joining Hyundai last year. Since then, he has overseen development of high-performance models, including the Genesis GV60 Magma. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-11 15:31:26

South Korea's LIG Nex1 seeks to localize chips for AESA, SAR radar systems SEOUL, December 05 (AJP) - South Korean defense contractor LIG Nex1 has launched a project to develop key semiconductors for active electronically scanned array (AESA) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems using fully domestic technology. The company said it signed agreements on Nov. 28 with the Defense Technology Promotion Research Institute to co-develop X-band common monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) and front-end module platforms for AESA radar, as well as broadband MMIC and front-end module platforms for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) SAR systems. The AESA radar semiconductors will serve as essential components for multifunction radars, fighter aircraft, stealth UAVs and wideband radar platforms. The joint program aims to produce compact, high-performance chips capable of meeting next-generation weapon system requirements. Defense-grade semiconductors are core elements for radar, precision-guided weapons and battlefield communications. South Korea currently depends heavily on foreign suppliers, raising concerns over potential vulnerabilities in the event of global supply chain disruptions. LIG Nex1 is already developing an air-cooled AESA radar for overseas markets. Successful localization of radar semiconductors would ensure a stable component base for upcoming high-performance AESA radar programs spearheaded by the Defense Science Research Institute. The initiative is seen as a significant step toward bolstering technological self-reliance in radar and broader defense systems, the company said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-05 17:22:26

Kia marks 80th anniversary with pledge to lead future mobility SEOUL, December 05 (AJP) - Kia President Song Ho-sung pledged to accelerate innovation across electric and purpose-built vehicles as the automaker marked its 80th anniversary on Friday. “We will continue to innovate with various electric and purpose-built vehicle models to become a centennial company,” Song said at a commemorative event held in Yongin, south of Seoul. Reflecting on Kia’s evolution to a global brand, Song credited the company’s resilience to founder Kim Chul-ho’s vision of advancing national industrial capability through technology. He noted that Kia endured multiple crises by introducing new models and pursuing fresh business directions. Since joining Hyundai Motor Group, Kia has expanded its global presence under successive leadership. Song highlighted Honorary Chairman Chung Mong-koo’s emphasis on quality and Chairman Chung Eui-sun’s focus on design and innovation as key drivers of growth. He also underscored the company’s efforts to strengthen organizational culture and lead in next-generation mobility solutions. Song cited ongoing challenges, including shifting global trade policies, supply-chain disruptions, rapid advances in AI-based mobility technology, and rising competition from Chinese automakers. Kia, he said, plans to address these pressures by doubling down on its core mission of providing innovative mobility solutions. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-05 13:57:39

Five Hanjin airlines adopt Starlink high-speed Wi-Fi across fleets SEOUL, December 05 (AJP) - Five airlines under South Korea’s Hanjin Group will adopt SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service to provide high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi, Korean Air said on Friday. The move, which includes Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul, marks the first deployment of Starlink by a South Korean carrier. Starlink operates a network of more than 8,000 low-earth orbit satellites and offers speeds of up to 500 Mbps, allowing passengers to stream video, play online games, shop, send messages and transfer large files with minimal delay. The service will be available across all cabin classes. Testing and certification will begin this year, with commercial service expected to launch as early as the third quarter of 2026. Korean Air and Asiana will first equip their long-haul Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A350-900 aircraft, with full fleet installation targeted by the end of 2027. Jin Air plans to start with its Boeing 737-8, while Air Busan and Air Seoul are finalizing their rollout plans. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-05 10:43:22

Hanwha Aerospace wins second contract for Cheongeom air-to-ground missiles SEOUL, December 03 (AJP) - South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace said on Wednesday it has signed a second production contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to supply additional Cheongeom air-to-ground missiles, in a deal valued at 225.4 billion won ($170 million). The new order follows an earlier 162.3 billion won contract, bringing total procurement for the program to 387.7 billion won. Deliveries of the missiles and launchers to the South Korean military are scheduled by 2028, the company said. The Cheongeom — the country’s first domestically developed air-to-ground missile — was completed in 2022, with Hanwha serving as the prototype manufacturer. The precision-guided weapon is equipped with a dual-mode seeker enabling day- and night-time targeting and a wired data link designed to enhance resistance to jamming. It also supports post-launch target updates to adapt to changing battlefield conditions. Hanwha is working to expand deployment options for the missile, including integration with manned and unmanned ground vehicles. A lighter variant, the Cheongeom-L, is under development for infantry units and for installation on armored vehicles and tanks. “We aim to support stable mass production and diversify operational platforms, contributing to South Korea’s defense capabilities while pursuing tailored export opportunities,” Hanwha Aerospace said in a press release. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-03 13:55:39