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Korea Herald
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
Where did Korea's city cars go? Find out in 2 minutes
Once a major force in Korea's auto market, city cars — with engines under 1,000 cubic centimeters and priced around 10 million won ($7,330) — are rapidly disappearing from Korean roads. The segment, which saw annual sales of over 200,000 units and left iconic models like the Tico and Matiz, has continued to decline, dropping another 32 percent to just 36,989 units in the first half of 2025. Chronicles Birth: Daewoo Shipbuilding and Heavy Machinery, now Hanwha Ocean, launched Korea's first city car, the Tico, in 1991 in partnership with Japan's Suzuki Motor. Priced initially at 2.9 million won, the model dubbed the 'people's car' sold 680,000 units by its phase-out in 2001. Boom: Policy incentives introduced in 1996 and the 1997 financial crisis boosted city car sales, raising their share to 27.6 percent of annual car sales in 1998, with 150,000 units sold. Daewoo Motor, having absorbed the shipbuilder's city car division, launched the Matiz that year. Hyundai and Kia also released the Atoz and Visto but phased them out in the early 2000s, leaving the Matiz as the segment leader. Peak: With eligibility for city car incentives expanded from 800 cc to 1,000 cc in 2008, the Matiz faced growing competition from Kia's Morning and Ray, with the Morning selling over 110,000 units in 2011. City car sales peaked at 216,000 units in 2012, as General Motors, having acquired Daewoo's passenger car division, launched the Chevrolet Spark, a fully redesigned Matiz. Waning: The Spark was discontinued in 2022, marking the end of Daewoo's 32-year legacy in the city car segment, and Morning's sales in Korea fell to 15,000 units in 2024. Hyundai rolled out Casper in 2021, but the company is shifting away from the city car category, its models growing in size and price. City car sales in 2025 are forecast at 70,000 units -- under 8 percent of total passenger car sales. What is driving the decline? Acquisition tax exemptions have been reduced. While the 50 percent discount on highway and public parking fees remains, further cuts are expected as the government shifts its focus to eco-friendly vehicles. Automakers are reluctant to launch new city car models due to the low profit margins — a few hundred thousand won per unit — compared to compact cars, which limits consumer options. Rising manufacturing costs and growing demand for added features have pushed city car prices close to 20 million won, reducing their price advantage over other segments. Korean consumers are increasingly drawn to larger vehicles, especially influenced by the evolving role of cars for leisure. End of the Korean city car? City cars remain popular in Korea's used car market, especially among novice drivers for their ease of driving and parking. In May, the Kia Morning, Chevrolet Spark and Kia New Ray were the top-selling used models, according to Carisyou. Overseas demand remains strong. The Kia Morning, sold as the Picanto in Europe, recorded 49,000 units sold abroad from January to May — nine times more than in Korea, with over half of those sales in Europe.
Newsweek
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Man Thrifts Coffee Table From Facebook Marketplace—Then Learns Its Value
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A man scored a designer coffee table worth up to $8,250 for just $120 on Facebook Marketplace, and the internet is obsessed. Tyler Wallis (u/tlrwlls), 33, from Fayetteville, Arkansas, is an avid thrifter who spends his spare time browsing flea markets, thrift stores, and online resale platforms. On April 22, his efforts paid off when he stumbled across what he described as the "conversation piece" of his dreams—a unique glass flower-shaped coffee table. "I had been wanting to replace my current coffee table I had for a while but hadn't seen anything I liked yet, so I was beyond excited when I scrolled past it," Wallis told Newsweek. "I would call my decor style 'curated-eclectic with a slight mid-century modern influence,' so the unique flower shape of the table top instantly attracted me. I always joke that every piece should be a conversation piece, and that's exactly what this table is!" The post of his interesting new piece taking center stage above a cow-print rug in his living room garnered 11,000 upvotes in the subreddit "Thrift Store Hauls." Wallis, who works as a restaurant server while studying to become a registered dietitian, said his passion for interior decorating began early. He explained he had always been interested in decorating and grew up going thrifting with his older brother on the weekends. These days, he visits local thrift stores once or twice a week and rotates through flea markets every couple of weeks. He estimated that about 85 percent of his home decor is secondhand. The table was listed for $120 and located about 45 minutes from his home. Though he typically tries not to spend over $100 on any one item, Wallis sent the listing to six friends to get their opinion. The verdict? Everyone agreed he needed to get it. There was only one photo in the listing, so Wallis did a reverse image search to get a better look—and what he found shocked him. The table, it turned out, was designed by Italian furniture company Cattelan Italia in the 1990s and was listed on auction sites for between $2,250 and $8,250. "That's when I realized that was a find of a lifetime and instantly sealed the deal for me," he said. He messaged the sellers straight away to ask for measurements and arranged to pick it up that day. The only hitch? Wallis drives a compact Chevrolet Spark and wasn't sure the table would fit. After some careful measuring, he decided to take the risk and make the 45-minute drive. Tyler Wallis's living room featuring his bargain designer coffee table. Tyler Wallis's living room featuring his bargain designer coffee table. u/tlrwlls/u/tlrwlls When he arrived, an elderly couple greeted him, and the man kindly offered to help load the heavy table. While the hatchback opening proved too small, they managed to fit the table through the back passenger door vertically. Back home, Wallis wasted no time swapping it in for his old coffee table. "It's the perfect addition and brightens up the room with its reflective surface," he said. "This table has absolutely become my new personality and I don't think I'll ever stop talking about it to anyone willing to listen," Wallis said. Despite its potential resale value, he added: "Regardless of how much it's worth, I don't see myself ever getting rid of it or trying to flip it for a higher profit. To me, thrifting is about finding exciting deals, not turning a profit." Reddit users were quick to celebrate his lucky find. "The thrift gods were watching over u today!" one user wrote. "This is one where I am very glad someone else can take it home to appreciate. My chaos family could never," another joked, alluding to the table's fragile design. "I've heard that the best way of taking care of your glass coffee table is to leave it on your front lawn and send me your home address," quipped one commenter. "Love how it is slightly playful, but still posh and doesn't really cross over into 'whimsical,'" said another. "Damn good deal. Love the vibe of the room!" a final commenter added. Do you have any amazing thrifting finds that you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@ and they could appear on our site.
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
Cheapest cars to drive in 2025: Analysis finds surprising picks, discontinued models — under $30K
Cheapest cars to drive in 2025: Analysis finds surprising picks, discontinued models — under $30K These are the cheapest cars to drive according to an analysis by Show Caption Hide Caption President Trump signs executive order to relieve some auto tariffs President Donald Trump signed an executive order to relax some auto tariffs, though the industry won't see a total exemption. The cheapest cars to drive include several hatchbacks and small car models. The Mitsubishi Mirage tops the list of used cars, but it is no longer sold as new model. The Nissan Versa is the cheapest car to drive that's still available as a new model. Buying and maintaining a vehicle can be incredibly expensive. According to CNBC, a new car could cost you close to $50,000 in 2025. So, how do drivers get the most value out of their vehicle purchases? One way to save money on car ownership is by getting a car that's cheap to drive. Vehicles with high gas mileage and track records of reliability can save you big bucks at the pump and the mechanic shop. an automotive research company, searched for the most affordable vehicles to drive based on average annual miles and new car price. The results may surprise some car buyers. The cheapest cars to drive, according to Mitsubishi Mirage (average new price: $18,281) Kia Rio (average new price: $18,553) Chevrolet Spark (average new price: $16,982) Nissan Versa (average new price: $19,250) Mitsubishi Mirage G4 (average new price: $19,355) Kia Soul (average new price: $22,197) Toyota Corolla (average new price: $23,349) Chevrolet Malibu (average new price: $28,637) Hyundai Accent (average new price: $18,720) Nissan Sentra (average new price: $23,045) While several of the models listed are from Japanese automakers like Nissan, Toyota, and Mitsubishi, Japanese-made cars don't entirely dominate the list. There are also South Korean and American models included, like the Kia Rio and Chevrolet Spark. One similarity between all vehicles listed is that they are all either subcompact cars, subcompact SUVs, or sedans. So, size and fuel efficiency play a role in the overall cost of ownership. The methodology for this study included analyzing odometer readings from over one million three-year-old cars. The models listed are the cheapest cars to drive based on average annual mileage and new car prices. So, the starting MSRP's of vehicles are a factor in their placing on the list, but not the only determining factor. Some of the cheapest cars to drive are no longer for sale If you own the Mitsubishi Mirage, Kia Rio, or Chevrolet Spark, you're in luck because these small cars have officially been discontinued. That's right, some of the cheapest cars to drive (according to iSeeCars) are no longer for sale as new models. You can still find pre-owned Mitsubishi Mirage, Kia Rio, and Chevrolet Spark models at used car dealers, CarMax, or Carvana. Among those in the list, the Nissan Versa is the first still available for sale as a new vehicle. Nissan's subcompact car starts at $17,190, ($18,330 with automatic transmission) and is available in three trims: the S, SV, and SR. The final configuration of the 2025 Nissan Versa SR remains more affordable than the average new car, starting at $21,190. The 2025 Nissan Versa SR uses a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine to produce 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. It achieves 32 miles per gallon in the city and 40 miles per gallon on the highway, which is excellent fuel efficiency. The Versa nameplate remains affordable to buy as a new vehicle. How much should you pay for a new car in 2025? The average new car price may be close to $50K in 2025, but that doesn't mean you need to pay $50,000 for a new car. In fact, there are several new cars on the market with starting prices under $40,000 that provide significant value for the money. The 2025 Nissan Versa ($17,190), 2025 Nissan Sentra ($21,590), and 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 ($37,850) are listed as 2025 'Best Value Winners' by a leading online automotive marketplace. also recognizes several SUVs with strong value propositions as well like the 2025 Ford Escape ($29,150) and 2025 Kia Sorento ($31,990). Finding the right new car to buy can be a harrowing task. This list of cheapest cars to own can help you make an informed purchasing decision backed by research.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Springfield man dies in Union County crash
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — A Springfield man succumbed to his injuries after a crash involving a motorcycle on Sunday. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, a two-vehicle crash was reported around 1:30 a.m. on US-33 in Union County. 18-year-old killed in Springfield shooting Investigation revealed a motorcycle was traveling southbound on US-33 when the rider attempted to pass in between two vehicles that were also traveling southbound. The motorcycle hit one of the vehicles, a Chevrolet Spark, causing the rider to be ejected and the Chevy to overturn several times before coming to rest in a ditch. Both the motorcyclist and driver sustained serious injuries and were sent to the hospital. The driver of the Chevy was then transferred to the Ohio State University Medical Center, where he later died. He's been identified as Jonathan Wallace, 67, of Springfield. OSP was joined on scene by the Union County Sheriff's Office, Allen Township Fire Department, and Med-Flight. Alcohol is not suspected to be a factor in the crash, and police say both drivers were wearing appropriate safety equipment, like seat belts and helmets. The crash remains under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Local man dead after car overturns, hits ditch
A Springfield man is dead after a crash in Union County on Wednesday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers were called to the crash on US-33. A motorcycle operated by Jacob Rhonehouse, 33, was attempting to pass between a Chevrolet Spark driven by Jonathan Wallace, 67, of Springfield, and another car. TRENDING STORIES: 'We are not anti-union;' Hospital network speaks out on nurses' recent efforts to unionize Major hospital network targeted by cyberattack, experiencing system-wide issues A 24-year-old man enrolled in an Ohio high school; no one caught on for months Rhonehouse hit the back of Wallace's car. Rhonehouse was thrown from his motorcycle, and Wallace traveled off the right side of the road, overturning several times and hitting a ditch. Wallace died from his injuries at the hospital. Rhonehouse was seriously hurt. Alcohol is not suspected to be a factor in the crash. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
