Tariffs loom, but GM Korea pushes for record output

GM Korea has raised its production target for this year to around 500,000 vehicles, signaling renewed commitment to its Korean operations despite renewed exit speculation fueled by higher US tariffs. According to industry sources on Tuesday, GM Korea is targeting production of about 500,000 vehicles in 2026, up 8.5 percent from last year's 460,826 units. If achieved, it would be a return above the 500,000-unit threshold for the first time since marking 519,385 units in 2017. The Korean unit plan

Feb. 3, 2026

Hyundai Mobis to develop full-windshield holographic display by 2029

Hyundai Mobis said Tuesday it had partnered with German optical system maker Zeiss, German adhesive tape maker Tesa, French automotive glass maker Saint-Gobain Sekurit to develop and produce a next-generation holographic windshield display by 2029. The four-company alliance expands on the Korean auto parts-maker’s exclusive mobility partnership with Zeiss launched in 2024, aiming to commercialize the advanced technology. Under the contract, Hyundai Mobis will oversee system integration and the d

Feb. 3, 2026

Samsung SDI narrows Q4 loss as ESS demand surges in US

Samsung SDI’s operating loss narrowed in the fourth quarter last year, primarily driven by rapidly growing demand in the US for non-Chinese battery cells used in energy storage systems. According to the company’s earnings call on Monday, its operating loss nearly halved from the previous quarter to 299.2 billion won ($205 million) in the October-December 2025 period, marking its fifth consecutive quarterly loss. Revenue rose 26.4 percent to 3.9 trillion won. On a year-on-year basis, the operatin

Feb. 2, 2026

Hyundai Mobis wins $9.17b in global orders beyond Hyundai-Kia

Hyundai Mobis said Monday it exceeded its overseas order target by 23 percent in 2025, securing $9.17 billion in contracts from global automakers despite excluding Hyundai Motor and Kia, its two largest customers. Despite a temporary slowdown in electric vehicle demand as automakers adjusted new model launch plans, the company said growth was driven by orders for electrified components, expanded sales of high-value-added parts and efforts to deepen its presence in China and India. Hyundai Mobis

Feb. 2, 2026

Kia launches high-performance variants of EV3, EV4, EV5 models

Kia Corp. on Monday launched high-performance variants of the EV3, EV4 and EV5 models, the company said, as the South Korean automaker moves to strengthen its electric vehicle product lineup. The newly introduced EV3 GT, EV4 GT and EV5 GT are equipped with dual-motor systems, GT-exclusive exterior and interior designs, and performance improved driving technologies, Kia said in a press release. The variants mark Kia's first application of its high-performance GT badge to its mainstream EV models,

Feb. 2, 2026

Hyundai Motor’s humanoid push meets labor wall

“Not a single robot will be allowed onto the factory floor without a labor-management agreement.” That warning, issued Jan. 22 by Hyundai Motor Group’s labor union and reiterated a week later, has cast a shadow over the automaker’s much-hyped push into humanoid robotics — and may offer a preview of a broader labor challenge facing the global auto industry. At issue is Atlas, the humanoid robot developed by Boston Dynamics, which Hyundai plans to begin deploying at its new plant in Georgia from 2

Jan. 30, 2026

US tariffs hit Hyundai Motor earnings despite record revenue

Hyundai Motor said Thursday its fourth-quarter operating profit fell 40 percent from a year earlier as higher US tariffs weighed on earnings, overshadowing gains from improved pricing and favorable exchange rates. Operating profit for the October-December period fell 39.9 percent on-year to 1.69 trillion won ($1.19 billion), while revenue edged up 0.5 percent to 46.84 trillion won. The automaker’s operating margin slid to 3.6 percent as cost pressures intensified in key markets. Hyundai said tha

Jan. 29, 2026

LG Energy Solution targets ESS boom in North America

LG Energy Solution is betting on rapid growth in the North American energy storage system market to offset a slowdown in electric vehicle demand, as expanding investments in AI data centers and supportive US energy policies reshape the battery landscape. During an earnings call Thursday, the company said global ESS installations are expected to grow more than 40 percent in 2026 from the previous year, with North America emerging as a key driver. Backed by continued tax credits for clean energy i

Jan. 29, 2026

Small but powerful: Kia Seltos adds performance, hybrid upgrades

Kia’s Seltos, its flagship small SUV, has returned after six years with performance upgrades and the addition of a popular new hybrid variant, aiming to reinforce its position in Korea’s increasingly competitive compact SUV market. From its debut in 2019 through last year, Seltos sold more than 330,000 units, establishing itself as the top-selling small SUV in the domestic market. Among its rivals, it competes most directly with Hyundai Motor Company’s Kona, alongside models such as GM Chevrolet

Jan. 29, 2026

[Photo News] Genesis off-road concept unveiled in UAE

Genesis on Tuesday unveiled its extreme off-road concept car, the X Skorpio Concept, at a premiere event held in the Rub' al Khali desert in the United Arab Emirates. "The new vehicle was designed to conquer harsh terrain while reflecting Genesis' design philosophy," said Luc Donckerwolke, chief creative officer of Hyundai Motor Group. The exterior draws inspiration from a scorpion's stance, with body curves resembling an arched tail. Segmented panels, also inspired by the scorpion's form, are e

Jan. 28, 2026

SK On’s Q4 loss widens on weaker EV demand, subsidy cuts in US

Operating loss at SK Innovation’s battery subsidiary SK On expanded in the fourth quarter of 2025, driven by weakening demand and reduced tax incentives in the North American EV market. According to SK Innovation’s earnings call on Wednesday, SK On recorded 1.46 trillion won ($1 billion) in revenue and an operating loss of 441.4 billion won from October to December 2025. Revenue declined 8.85 percent year on year, while the operating loss widened by 18.58 percent. The quarterly operating loss wa

Jan. 28, 2026

Hyundai Mobis posts record revenue, profit in 2025

Hyundai Mobis closed out 2025 with record annual revenue and operating profit, fueled by growth in auto components and improved profitability despite pressure from US tariffs. The auto parts arm of Hyundai Motor Group said Wednesday that its annual revenue rose 6.8 percent from a year earlier to 61.1 trillion won ($42.9 billion), while operating profit climbed 9.2 percent to 3.36 trillion won, both marking all-time highs. Overall growth was led by its manufacturing division, which includes modul

Jan. 28, 2026

EcoPro sets up European sales unit in Germany

EcoPro said Wednesday it has established its first European sales subsidiary in Germany as part of its global expansion strategy. The company appointed Kimbal Virdi, a former senior director of business development at its cathode materials affiliate EcoPro BM, to lead the new unit. Virdi, a 25-year veteran of the automotive industry, joined EcoPro BM in April 2024 and has extensive experience in lithium-ion battery systems. EcoPro said the Germany-based sales hub will strengthen its European pre

Jan. 28, 2026

Posco Future M secures stake in Factorial to advance solid-state batteries

Posco Future M has invested in US-based battery cell maker Factorial as part of its efforts to gain an edge in the all-solid-state battery market, the company said Tuesday. The Korean battery materials maker signed an investment agreement with Factorial on Jan. 7 and completed the final payment on Monday. The two companies had previously signed a cooperation agreement in November to jointly develop all-solid-state batteries. Posco Future M said the investment will position the company to capture

Jan. 27, 2026

Kia refreshes Seltos with hybrid to defend small SUV lead

Kia is rolling out a fully redesigned version of its top-selling subcompact SUV with a new hybrid option and a larger body as it seeks to strengthen its lead in South Korea's small SUV market. The second-generation Seltos comes six years after the model was first launched in the market in 2019. Since then, more than 330,000 units have been sold in South Korea through 2025, making it one of the country’s best-selling small SUVs. Kia said it will begin taking orders for the all-new Seltos starting

Jan. 26, 2026