Articles by Kim Da-sol
Kim Da-sol
ddd@heraldcorp.com-
Kia launches Korea’s first EV service center
Korea’s second-largest automaker Kia Motors has established a service center dedicated to electric vehicles for the first time in the country, the firm said Sunday. The automaker has set up an EV Workbay at six service centers nationwide, operated by Auto Q. It hopes to enhance the efficiency of EV customers’ vehicle inspection and mechanics’ work convenience. The launch comes in line with the imminent launch of its new EV lineup -- including Niro EV and Soul Booster EV. Mechanics inspect a veh
Mobility May 19, 2019
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Duty-free business becomes cash cow only for bigger players
Hanhwa Group’s decision to withdraw from the duty-free business from September due to ballooning losses -- some 117 billion won ($100 million) of accumulated operating losses -- has shaken the industry, though many had predicted the closure. “It is not an exaggeration to say that there were more employees than customers at Hanwha’s downtown duty-free store in Yeouido, although many visitors seemed to visit the landmark 63 Building where the store is located. The location was relatively less-visi
Industry May 6, 2019
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[Video] Blue Bottle Coffee opens first store in Korea
California-based Blue Bottle Coffee has opened its first cafe in Korea on Friday, making Korea the second international market for the company. Blue Bottle’s 1,300-square-meter store in Seoul will be located in Seongsu-dong, an area referred to as the “Brooklyn” of Seoul, according to the company. Blue Bottle Coffee Korea (Yonhap)“We tend not to open locations in the most commercial areas and we like to pick a location that has a strong community and reflects our values,” Bryan Meehan, CEO of Bl
Industry May 3, 2019
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Korean Air to remove first-class seats from 27 international routes
Korean Air said Wednesday that it will remove the first-class seats from 27 international routes beginning in June, leaving only two options -- economy and prestige -- on 76 of its 111 routes. The change is seen as a move by the air carrier to increase the efficiency and maximize the profitability of its flight services. (Korean Air)As of June 1, only 35 routes -- some 30 percent of Korean Air’s international flights -- will offer first-class seats. Currently, the air carrier does not offer a f
Industry May 1, 2019
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CJ sells A Twosome Place for biz restructuring
CJ Group’s restaurant business unit CJ Foodville has sold its flagship coffeehouse chain A Twosome Place as part of its business restructuring to Hong Kong-based private equity firm Anchor Equity Partners, the firm confirmed Wednesday.The sale involved 45 percent stake held by CJ Foodville in A Twosome Place for 202.5 billion won ($173.3 million). When the deal is finalized, the sell-off will increase the PEF’s share to 85 percent as it already owns a 40 percent stake in the coffee chain.(CJ Foo
Industry May 1, 2019
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[Herald Interview] ‘To me, a car is just one of many designs’
Not all automotive designers are typical “car guys” well versed in the history of cars and models on the street.Because Kim Nury, an automotive interior designer at BMW’s Munich headquarters, definitely does not fit that stereotype. “A car is, to me, just one of many designs. I do not have an extensive knowledge about cars or know A to Z about different models -- I do not drive -- but cars are like what I play with as if I’m in a game finding solutions to producing one,” said Kim during an inter
Mobility April 29, 2019
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Hera launches Au Jour Le Jour limited-edition collection
Hera, a luxury beauty brand under Korean cosmetics giant Amorepacific, has launched a limited-edition collection in collaboration with Italian fashion brand Au Jour Le Jour, the firm said Sunday. The collection features an urban-chic concept that reanalyzes the retro trend, according to the company. Hera X Au Jour Le Jour collection (Amorepacific)It comprises an eye shadow palette, Wonder Pearl Liquid lip gloss, Black Cushion pact, Cell Essence and Rich Curling mascara, packaged in a special bo
Industry April 28, 2019
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Cho Won-tae appointed as Hanjin Group chairman
Hanjin Group’s holding company Hanjin Kal said Wednesday its board of directors had decided to appoint Korean Air President Cho Won-tae as the group’s new chairman. The appointment of Cho is aimed at minimizing the leadership vacuum in the group and maintaining stable business operations, Hanjin Kal said in a statement, adding there will be no separate inauguration ceremony for Cho. Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Won-tae (Hanjin Group)This comes about two weeks after Cho’s father, former Hanjin Group
Industry April 24, 2019
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Hyundai Motor records improved Q1 results backed by Palisade
Hyundai Motor said Wednesday its first-quarter operating profit came in at 824.9 billion won ($718 million), up 21.1 percent from last year, boosted by sales of its latest sport utility vehicle model Palisade, which hit the market in December. According to the automaker, first-quarter sales increased 6.9 percent to 23.9 trillion won, while net profit jumped 30.4 percent to 953.8 billion won. Hyundai Motor’s Palisade (Hyundai Motor)Although Hyundai Motor’s global sales decreased 2.7 percent to 1
Mobility April 24, 2019
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[Feature] Amid labor dispute, falling sales, Renault Samsung marks gloomy 20th year
For a 42-year-old veteran driver surnamed Yim, the QM6 compact sport utility vehicle he has owned since 2017 is his pride. “QM6, without a doubt, is the strongest car from a trustworthy automaker,” said Yim, showing a photo of a car crash scene where his QM6 looks relatively unscathed while a white sedan that it had collided with it has been smashed to pieces. “The car, no matter what, has to be safe and strong. This was the biggest merit of Samsung Motors, known for high quality products. But m
Mobility April 23, 2019
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Hyundai Motor develops world’s first mobile EV tune-up technology
Hyundai Motor and its sister company Kia Motors said Monday they have developed the world’s first mobile tune-up technology for their electric vehicles.According to the automakers, the technology allows a driver to control an electric car’s performance, efficiency and driving comfort by setting the car’s torque, acceleration, deceleration, power generation during braking, speed limit, responsiveness and air conditioning, via mobile devices including smartphones and tablet PCs. A driver tests Hy
Mobility April 22, 2019
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SK E&C clinches oil refinery modernization deal in Uzbekistan
SK Engineering & Construction will modernize an oil refinery in Uzbekistan to enhance the quality of gasoline, diesel and lube oil products there, the firm said Monday.SK E&C clinched a $600 million deal with Uzbekistan’s state-run oil and gas corporation UNG to modernize Bukhara Oil Refinery, located 437 kilometers southwest of the capital city of Tashkent. It is the company’s first project in Uzbekistan.SK E&C President Ahn Jae-hyun (left) shakes hand with Uzbekistan’s UNG Chairman Sidikov B.B
Industry April 22, 2019
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[Behind the Wheel] King of off-roading, Wrangler, targets urban drivers, but will it work?
One challenge many automakers face with sport utility vehicles is how to maintain their off-road capabilities while still appealing to daily SUV users.Jeep, an SUV brand under the Fiat Chrysler Automobile group, faced this challenge with its iconic Wrangler, which maintains its rough and tough off-roader image. Many drivers still believe the Wrangler suits hard-core off-roading enthusiasts driving on dusty, unpaved surfaces. But to break from its conventional image and expand its customer base,
Mobility April 22, 2019
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Jeep aims to expand target customer base with full all-new Wrangler lineup
There is no doubt that the Wrangler is the most off-road capable vehicle made by Jeep, the iconic 4-by-4 sport utility vehicle maker with a 70-year history under Fiat Chrysler Automobile group. With an aim to expand the customer base of the Wrangler in Korea, Jeep has completed the full all-new Wrangler lineup here, now with six trims that range from the two-door Sports and Rubicon to the four-door Sports, Rubicon, Overland and Rubicon Power Top. Jeep's All-new Wrangler (FCA Korea)The Italian-A
Mobility April 18, 2019
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Renault Samsung CEO vows continued investment in Korean market
Renault Samsung Motors CEO Dominique Signora said Wednesday the company will continue investing in the Korean market, considering the Korean unit’s significance to its French parent company.During a closed-door meeting with Busan Metropolitan City Mayor Oh Keo-don, Signora asked for joint efforts to solve a prolonged labor dispute and to revitalize the city’s export competitiveness through the automaker’s only plant in Busan. Busan Metropolitan City Mayor Oh Keo-don (left) and Renault Samsung M
Mobility April 17, 2019
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