Posco Future M starts supply of Korea-made battery precursors to US Ultium Cells

Posco Future M completed its first shipment of Korean-made cathode materials to the US for Ultium Cells — a battery joint venture between LG Energy Solution and General Motors — qualifying the batteries for US electric vehicle energy tax credits. Cathode materials are a key component of EV batteries, directly influencing the cells’ overall capacity, energy density and safety. This milestone marks the first time cathode materials, previously heavily reliant on China, have been manufactured entire

Aug. 8, 2025

Hyundai Rotem delivers first tram to Canada, making debut in North America

Hyundai Rotem, the railway and defense contractor under Hyundai Motor Group, announced Friday that the first shipment of its light rail vehicles for the Valley Line West project in Edmonton, Canada, had been delivered on Aug. 1 The initial delivery, consisting of a seven-module set, was part of a 218.8 billion won ($158 million) contract secured in 2021. It is the company’s first expansion into the North American tram market. The vehicle will undergo approximately 2,000 kilometers of trial runs

Aug. 8, 2025

Hyundai, GM to build pickups, EVs in new sweeping alliance

Hyundai Motor Company and General Motors are joining forces in one of the biggest global automotive tie-ups to date. The two companies aim to co-develop five new vehicles — including hybrids, gas-powered models and electric vans — to expand their presence across the entire American market and better navigate US tariff pressures. Hyundai Motor said Thursday it will jointly develop five vehicles with GM. Four, including pickups, a compact car and a small SUV with internal combustion and hybrid opt

Aug. 7, 2025

Lucid EV sets world record with Samsung SDI battery

Samsung SD announced Thursday that the Lucid Air Grand Touring, a premium electric vehicle powered by its nickel-cobalt-aluminum battery, has been listed in the Guinness World Records for the longest driving range on a single charge. According to the company, the luxury EV from US-based Lucid Motors traveled 1,205 kilometers without recharging during a test drive between St. Moritz, Switzerland, and Munich — surpassing the previous record by 160 kilometers. The long-range model is the result of

Aug. 7, 2025

Korea's Autonomous A2Z, Kanematsu team up for Level 4 self-driving in Japan

Korean autonomous driving solutions provider Autonomous A2Z announced Tuesday that it has formed a partnership with Japan’s Kanematsu Corp. to introduce its Level 4 autonomous driving technology to the Japanese market. Level 4 autonomy enables vehicles to operate without driver intervention within designated areas. Under the agreement signed Monday, the two companies will collaborate to deploy Autonomous A2Z’s proprietary self-driving technology in Japan. The partnership also includes efforts to

Aug. 5, 2025

Hyundai builds local fan base with Japan’s first official owner club

Japan's first official Hyundai Motor fan club has been established, marking a milestone in the brand’s growing presence since its reentry into the market in 2022, Hyundai Motor Company said Tuesday. Hyundai Motor Club Japan, formed by local owners and enthusiasts of Hyundai vehicles, held its launch ceremony on Sunday in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. The club, comprised largely of electric vehicle drivers, is expected to become a key channel for sharing Hyundai EV ownership experiences

Aug. 5, 2025

Trump’s China tariffs reshape US ESS market, offer boon for Korean batteries

The market for energy storage systems, or ESS, in the US is at a critical juncture, as Korean battery-makers move to fill the gaps left by domestic players hurt by tariffs. Oregon-based Powin, once a top-three ESS integrator, filed for bankruptcy after tariff-driven costs on Chinese battery imports surged, exposing how vulnerable US firms are to foreign supply shocks. The shift, driven by Donald Trump’s push to curb Chinese dominance, is opening the door for Korean firms to ramp up local product

Aug. 3, 2025

Hyundai Motor CEO says tariff deal removed uncertainties in US operations

Hyundai Motor Company CEO Jose Munoz said Thursday that the new tariff agreement between South Korea and the United States removes uncertainties, enabling the business to move forward in predictable frameworks. “This agreement ensures that the partnership (between Korea and the US) will continue flourishing, with predictable frameworks that benefit workers and communities in both nations,” the CEO wrote in a post on LinkedIn. The remark came hours after Korea and the US reached a new trade agree

Aug. 1, 2025

Genesis Motor Europe appoints Peter Kronschnabl as new managing director

Genesis Motor Europe, the European arm of the Korean luxury automaker, announced Thursday the appointment of Peter Kronschnabl as its new managing director, effective Monday. He will lead operations at the brand’s European headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, succeeding Xavier Martinet, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor Europe, who served in the role on an interim basis. Kronschnabl brings over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, having held senior leadership positions at BMW Grou

Aug. 1, 2025

Hyundai, Kia lose FTA edge as Korea accepts US tariff hike

The reduction of US tariffs on South Korean automobiles to 15 percent offers only limited relief for Hyundai Motor Group, which faces mounting challenges in the world’s second-largest car market. Stripped of its former zero-tariff advantage under the FTA, the automaker is bracing for a tougher fight to maintain its competitive edge. According to Seoul's presidential office, Korea and the US negotiated a 15 percent tariff on Korean-made automobiles on Thursday, lowering the rate from 25 percent.

July 31, 2025

LG Energy Solution wins $4.3b battery deal, likely with Tesla

LG Energy Solution has secured a 5.9 trillion won ($4.3 billion) deal to supply lithium-iron phosphate battery cells, likely for Tesla’s energy storage systems, solidifying its position as the only producer of these cost-effective batteries in the US. According to LG Energy Solution’s regulatory filing on Wednesday, it will supply LFP cells for a global client for three years from Aug. 1, 2027, to July 31, 2030, with the possibility of extending the contract to 2034. This agreement represents 23

July 30, 2025

Hyundai Motor chief heads to US to back up Korea’s tariff negotiations

Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun is flying to the United States to support the Korean government’s tariff negotiations with Washington, according to government sources Wednesday. Chung met with US President Donald Trump as the Korean auto giant announced a $21 billion investment in the US at the White House in March, including a new steel mill in Louisiana and the expansion of local production at its new Georgia manufacturing factory, Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America. Chung

July 30, 2025

Samsung SDI beats rivals in W1tr government ESS bid

Samsung SDI has secured the lion's share of the 1 trillion won ($725 million) worth of South Korean energy storage systems up for government bidding, leveraging its technological prowess in the advanced battery cells. According to media reports Monday, Samsung SDI won bids for six out of Korea’s eight ESS projects, outpacing its domestic rivals — LG Energy Solution and SK On. This was the first round of ESS construction project bids overseen by the government, and covered a total of 3,390 megawa

July 28, 2025

[Photo News] Ioniq 6 face-lift debuts with class-leading range

Hyundai Motor Company on Monday launched a face-lifted version of its flagship electric sedan, the Ioniq 6, in the Korean market — the first update since the model’s debut in 2022. The Korean automaker has enhanced battery capacity and aerodynamic design, achieving the longest driving range among electric models in Korea at up to 562 kilometers on a single charge. The price starts at 48.56 million won ($35,150). (Hyundai Motor Group)

July 28, 2025

Kia sets new sales record in India for H1

Korea’s second-largest automaker Kia posted record sales in India during the first half of 2025, bolstered by the launch of its new Syros sport utility vehicle. According to data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, Kia sold 142,139 units in India between January and June, surpassing its previous first-half sales record of 136,108 units — set in 2023 — by 4.4 percent. The performance marks a rebound from last year’s decline and puts the firm nearly halfway toward its full-year ta

July 27, 2025