[Photo News] Kia Sportage in Squid Game style

Kia is bringing the excitement of "Squid Game" Season 2 to its new Sportage launch with an interactive campaign. A teaser video released last Thursday has revealed the Sportage alongside iconic pink guards of "Squid Game," while a special pop-up showroom in Seoul from Nov. 15 to 24 lets fans dive into the experience firsthand. Visitors can join a scavenger hunt, explore themed rooms and get hands-on with the SUV. (Kia)

Nov. 11, 2024

LG eyes footing in aerospace with possible SpaceX deal

LG Energy Solution has reportedly forged a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to supply its cylindrical lithium-ion batteries, further strengthening its partnership with Tesla and advancing its footprint to the global aerospace sector. According to industry sources on Monday, the Korean battery-maker has started developing batteries for the power supply units of SpaceX’s next-generation Starship launch vehicle, the world's first reusable rocket, as soon as next year. This marks SpaceX

Nov. 11, 2024

LG ramps up US battery push with $6.7b supply deal for Rivian EVs

South Korea's LG Energy Solution has secured a landmark deal with Rivian, the US electric vehicle maker known for its rugged electric trucks and SUVs. The South Korean battery manufacturer will deliver a total of 67 gigawatt-hours worth of 4695 cells -- named for their 46mm diameter and 95mm height -- over the next five years. Although neither company disclosed the exact financial details, Korean industry analysts estimate that the deal could be worth at least $6.7 billion, based on the typ

Nov. 8, 2024

Hyundai Motor edges closer to global No. 2 carmaker in profit

Hyundai Motor Group has outpaced Volkswagen Group in the third-quarter profit, edging closer to claiming the world’s second-largest carmaker title this year for the first time. From June to September, Hyundai Motor Company, Kia and Genesis posted 69.4 trillion won ($49.7 billion) in sales revenue and 6.5 trillion won in operating profit. Volkswagen Group reported higher sales of 78.5 billion euros ($84.2 billion), but it fell behind in profit with 2.9 billion euros. This marks a significan

Nov. 7, 2024

Tata Daewoo rebranded for EV shift

GUNSAN -- Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Company, a well-established name in commercial trucks often seen on construction sites and in logistics operations across the globe, has rebranded itself as Tata Daewoo Mobility. Joining a broader industry trend, Tata Daewoo’s rebranding as a "mobility" company reflects its new mission to lead in eco-friendly transport through the development of electric and hybrid vehicles. During the 30th anniversary ceremony held at its headquarters in

Nov. 7, 2024

[Photo News] 80 years of Kia

An exhibition reflecting on Kia's 80-year heritage, "From Moments to Movement" kicked off Thursday at its brand store in southern Seoul. The exhibition features iconic Kia historical car models, including the Sportage sport utility vehicle and Pride compact vehicle, alongside its latest innovations like the EV9 and EV3 electric vehicles. (Kia)

Nov. 7, 2024

Kia Sportage returns stronger

Kia unveiled the new Sportage, the automaker’s best-selling sport utility vehicle, in Seoul on Monday, highlighting the enhanced product’s all-around upgrade, which it expects to continue accounting for a major part of the automaker’s market presence. “The new Sportage, which we are presenting today with pride, contains innovative changes that are on par with a full model change,” said Jeong Woo-jeong, head of Kia’s domestic business division, in a media prese

Nov. 5, 2024

SK On reports first-ever profit in Q3

SK On, SK Innovation’s battery subsidiary, reported its first-ever quarterly profits in the third quarter of this year after years of operating losses since its spinoff in 2021. During its earnings conference call on Monday, the battery maker reported an operating profit of 24 billion won ($17.4 million) in the July-September period, a significant turnaround from last year’s 86.1 billion won deficit, largely driven by inventory clearance and enhanced cost structure. Its sales fell

Nov. 4, 2024

A rare glimpse into Mercedes‘ data-driven battery assembly

HEDELFINGEN, Germany -- At Mercedes-Benz’s battery production facility in Hedelfingen, Stuttgart, a group of Korean reporters was recently given a close-up look at how the automaker assembles the battery packs that power its flagship electric vehicles, the EQS and EQE. The visit offered a rare glimp

Nov. 4, 2024

[Photo News] Carnival for quintuplets

Korean automaker Kia said Thursday that it has donated a 2025 Carnival, the automaker's latest edition of its signature nine-seat minivan, to the parents of quintuplets in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province. The quintuplets -- two girls and three boys -- were born Sept. 20. The automaker also donated 30 million won ($21,800) to the city of Dongducheon to support households with more than one child, as the country struggles with a low birth rate. (Hyundai Motor Group)

Oct. 31, 2024

Crash-tested, fire-proofed: Mercedes shows Korea how it keeps EVs safe

SINDELFINGEN, Germany -- A bright orange Mercedes EQS 450 electric sedan sped down a spotless track, reaching 64 kilometers per hour before slamming into a massive concrete wall. The front end crumpled like a soda can, but a bright ring of 72 lights immediately illuminated the wreck as high-speed ca

Oct. 31, 2024

Touareg drives Volkswagen’s push into Korea’s premium SUV market

In response to South Korea’s surging appetite for luxury SUVs, Volkswagen is doubling down with an upgraded Touareg that emphasizes advanced technology and understated elegance. Launched in August, the third-generation 2024 Touareg positions Volkswagen to compete in a market where SUVs now dominate imported car sales, driven by demand for both versatility and premium features. The third-generation 2024 Touareg has received a subtle design makeover that focuses on clean lines and understate

Oct. 31, 2024

Hyundai renews hydrogen vision with more advanced Initium SUV

Hyundai Motor on Monday introduced a concept version of Initium, a hydrogen fuel-cell sport utility vehicle, adding a new chapter to its 27-year commitment toward renewable energy solutions. “The new addition to the hydrogen-powered SUV lineup will debut next year,” said Chang Jae-hoon, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor, at a press conference at Hyundai Motor Studio in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. “Moving beyond mobility, we have introduced our hydrogen value chain business, H

Oct. 31, 2024

Bentley’s fastest luxury coupes arrive in Korea with hybrid power

Bentley Motors Korea launched two of its most powerful and luxurious coupes in the Korean market: the fourth-generation Continental GT Speed and the Continental GTC Speed, its convertible counterpart, at Bentley Seoul Gangnam on Wednesday. The new Continental GT Speed is the most powerful street-legal vehicle in Bentley's history -- a term used for extremely high-performance cars that are still legal to drive on regular roads, unlike racing cars. Bentley has equipped both models with a plu

Oct. 31, 2024

Samsung SDI-Stellantis JV to start US production in December

Samsung SDI unveiled details on its first electric vehicle battery production in the US in partnership with Stellantis and General Motors during its third-quarter earnings announcement Wednesday. “The joint venture with Stellantis, Starplus Energy, marks Samsung SDI’s first foray into battery cell manufacturing in the US,” said Son Michael, executive vice president of automotive & ESS business at Samsung SDI, during a conference call earlier in the day. “The initial p

Oct. 30, 2024