Korean cars introduced at international show

Korea’s carmakers are geared up to revive sales and seek a bigger slice of the pie in the North American auto market by introducing their new vehicles at the 2008 North American International Auto Show, which began yesterday. The event was previously called the Detroit Motor Show.
Hyundai Motor, the biggest local automaker, unveiled its new luxury sedan, Genesis.
Genesis is Hyundai’s first attempt to sell a premium sedan in an overseas market dominated by European auto makers. The Genesis will be launched in the North American market in June.
Equipped with 3,300, 3,800 or 4,600 cubic-centimeter engines, Hyundai’s new environmentally friendly engine consumes less fuel and generates more power.
The Genesis recently received rave reviews in Motor Trend magazine, a highly-respected U.S. publication.
Along with Genesis, Hyundai also unveiled 12 other cars, including Genesis Coupe Concept cars and Santa Fe sport-utility vehicles, which saw a 44 percent sales increase from a year ago.
With its large SUV Mohave, Kia Motors, an affiliate of Hyundai Motor, is also trying to tap the North American market.
The seven-seat Mohave will be exported to North America as the Borrego this summer.
The Mohave puts an emphasis on simple lines and is first Kia’s product with a 4,600cc engine.
Kia also introduced KEE, a four-seat two-door coupe, which was designed by its European Design Centre and manufactured in Europe.
GM Daewoo and Auto Technology, a Korean affiliate of U.S.-based General Motors, disclosed its Chevrolet Beat mini concept car.
The car is designed by the Korean unit and will be marketed with the Chevrolet brand name in overseas markets. The Beat is considered a next-generation small car from GM Daewoo. It is expected to draw attention from environmentally conscious customers, along with GM’s other mini cars, including Groove and Trax.
The parent company GM will display 17 types of cars in this show.
The international show will feature 87 of the world’s auto manufacturers with more than 700 vehicles. The show runs through Jan. 27 at Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan.

By Sung So-young Staff Reporter [so@joongang.co.kr]