Chung Ki-sun calls for 20-year vision at HD Hyundai

HD Hyundai Chair Chung Ki-sun urged executives to look beyond short-term results and focus on building sustainable growth over the next two decades as uncertainty mounts across global markets. Chung delivered the message Thursday at an executive strategy meeting at the group’s Global R&D Center in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province. The meeting brought together HD Hyundai Vice Chairmen Cho Young-cheul, Cho Seok and Lee Sang-kyun, along with the CEOs of 11 affiliates spanning shipbuilding, marine, energy

2026-08-13 14:58:16:00

Hyundai accelerates AI shift from office to manufacturing, service

Hyundai Motor Group is rapidly integrating artificial intelligence across its offices, factory floor and customer service operations, aiming to become one of South Korea’s fastest adopters of the technology to boost workplace efficiency. During a press conference held at the company’s Seoul headquarters on Wednesday, Jin Eun-sook, president of the ICT division at Hyundai Motor Group, said the company’s push to incorporate flexible, adaptable and tech-driven work culture dates back to 2018. That

2026-08-12 14:37:50:00

Samsung SDI takes over Indiana plant as GM partnership evolves

Samsung SDI will buy General Motors’ entire stake in their $3.5 billion Indiana battery joint venture, giving the Korean battery maker its first wholly owned production plant in North America. The company said Tuesday it plans to acquire GM’s 49.99 percent stake in SynergyCells, taking full ownership of the venture. It did not disclose the purchase price or expected completion date. Established in 2024, SynergyCells is building a battery cell plant in New Carlisle, Indiana, with an annual produc

2026-08-11 15:29:35:00

Korea’s battery trio braces for W1tr ESS price war

South Korea’s three largest battery makers are preparing to compete for about 1 trillion won ($706.8 million) in the government’s third energy storage system tender, which could open as early as this month. Samsung SDI leads in cumulative orders from the first two rounds, but SK On’s victory in the latest tender has reset the competition, putting greater pressure on LG Energy Solution and its domestic rivals to cut costs. The Korea Power Exchange completed industry consultations for the third ro

2026-08-11 15:13:34:00

Korea Zinc gains traction as US rebuilds critical mineral supply chains

Korea Zinc, the world’s leading metal refiner, is gaining significant traction from Washington’s recent announcement on securing China-free critical mineral supply chains spanning mining, processing, refining and manufacturing within the US. On Friday, US President Donald Trump introduced a $3 billion critical minerals investment package at a roundtable on the American mining industry at the US Department of State in Washington. This shift highlights growing US efforts to boost advanced industry

2026-08-10 19:04:43:00

US’ $3b mineral drive spotlights Korea’s China-free supply chains

Washington’s new $3 billion critical minerals initiative has put South Korean processors and miners in the spotlight as the US pushes to dismantle China’s dominance over strategic supply chains. While Korea Zinc and Posco Holdings are not direct recipients of the investment package, they are uniquely positioned to capitalize on the shift, solidifying long-term supply partnerships with US defense and technology leaders. The US unveiled a $3 billion critical minerals package during a roundtable on

2026-08-10 15:19:57:00

BYD’s humanoid push challenges Hyundai’s early lead

The world’s largest electric vehicle giant has officially entered the global humanoid robotics race, expected to leverage its fully integrated battery-to-software supply chain to drive down production costs. The move escalates pressure on early movers such as Hyundai Motor Group, which would need to slash manufacturing costs after commercialization to hold onto its lead. BYD’s robotics playbook is straightforward: establish a foothold with retail and service humanoid robots, then scale rapidly i

2026-08-09 15:03:43:00

Volvo EX90 brings calm confidence to electric luxury

Volvo’s EX90 is big, heavy and built for seven, but it rarely feels cumbersome from behind the wheel. Across congested Seoul streets and open highways, the electric flagship delivered the quiet composure of a luxury SUV while remaining surprisingly agile under acceleration, braking and cornering. The Korea Herald tested the upgraded EX90 Twin Motor Performance on a recent 60-kilometer round trip between Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, ahead of the model’s Korean launch. The full-size SUV arrives wi

2026-08-07 00:00:00:00

Posco Future M secures first major LFP supply deal

Posco Future M has secured its first major long-term order for lithium iron phosphate cathode materials, agreeing to supply more than 190,000 metric tons to a leading Korean battery maker as North American demand for energy storage systems surges. The six-year agreement covers deliveries from 2027 through 2032. It follows the company’s decision last year to convert part of the high-nickel cathode materials line at its Pohang plant in North Gyeongsang Province to LFP production. Posco Future M di

2026-08-06 19:00:00:00

US polysilicon curbs leave Korean solar firms caught in crossfire

Washington’s planned 15 percent tariff and minimum price floor on imported polysilicon could hit Korean solar manufacturers alongside its intended target of China. The proposed measures would extend beyond raw polysilicon to wafers, cells and modules, putting Korean companies that rely on Southeast Asian production directly in the path of the US trade crackdown. The Donald Trump administration was expected to announce the restrictions as early as Thursday, alongside the findings of its yearlong

2026-08-06 15:19:58:00