Despite the ongoing economic hardships, business leaders looked to a brighter 2015 with upbeat messages for the New Year.

Hyundai Motor Group chairman Chung Mong-koo on Friday reaffirmed the world’s fifth-largest carmakers’ goal of selling 8.2 million units this year and called on its executives and employees to take extra care in terms of research and development. 

“We will reinforce our network of 32 manufacturing plants in nine countries, six R&D centers and dealers around the world in order to overcome our market competitors’ challenges and boost our productivity,” Chung said in his New Year’s speech at the company headquarters.

“We expect to reach the sales goal of 8.2 million units without a hitch and we should aim higher now that we are about to build more plants,” he said. The carmaker recently announced a plan to build two more plants in China.

Chairman Koo Bon-moo of LG Group, the country’s fourth-largest business enterprise, stressed the importance of innovation.

“We will need well-made plans and talented people. But all these are nothing if you don’t execute (your plans). It has been three years since we have pledged to become a market leader. This year we should show that we are,” he said.

Koo cited the company’s progress in the environmentally friendly car components and energy sector. “Tumbling foreign currency exchange rates and oil prices as well as the moves of Japanese and Chinese companies tell us that the next few years are going to be tough for us, but we will get over them,” he said.

Doosan chairman Park Yong-maan showed interest in Southeast Asian and African markets. “Until the economy has fully recovered the market size will stay the same. The key will be to secure a bigger share of the current pie. We have changed through ‘Doosan Way’ management tactics and now it is time for us to perform as ‘Team Doosan,’” he said.

GS chairman Huh Chang-soo called for zero-base innovation that starts from customer-oriented services.

“Our overseas business has increased fivefold in the past 10 years and now accounts for 60 percent of our entire sales figures. But we are all facing some struggles in terms of the economy. If we don’t go back to our fields and meet with our clients and listen to their needs, we won’t make anything. We should streamline our activities and keep seeking innovation,” he said.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)