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Miami Herald
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Kia Tasman Goes Bush-Ready Thanks to Off-Road Outfitter
People can stop talking, and writing, about the all-new Kia Tasman, the automaker's first production ladder-frame pickup truck, and it's not even on sale yet. The automaker has also confirmed that an SUV version is coming if the Tasman proves to be a hit with buyers. As with most ladder-frame trucks, accessories are crucial to their tough look. Kia showcased its own set of upgrades at this year's Seoul Mobility Show, and now aftermarket outfitters are working on their own unique upgrades and accessories for the Korean truck. Australian 4x4 accessory powerhouse ARB has just previewed a full lineup of Tasman-specific gear – a major slew of rugged accessories for Kia's yet-to-be-sold pickup, highlighting off-road potential that extends beyond Aussie borders. While not production accessories yet, ARB's teaser catalog includes everything from hooped and hoopless bull bars to bash plates, side rails, roof racks, bed systems, and a suspected lift kit – typical upgrades you'd expect from the off-road outfitter. The Australian company, which has a growing footprint in the US, also addressed the supposed problem with the Tasman's front fascia. ARB didn't modify any body panel, though. Instead, it showed various ways to cover the polarizing grille, including two differing sets of fog lights. ARB notes that these renderings don't preview what it might create for the Kia Tasman. They are hinting at what ARB already has in the pipeline. Designed to take on global nameplates like the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max, and Mitsubishi Triton, the Kia Tasman is set to become the brand's global truck contender. While it will launch first in Australia in dual-cab configuration with both 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrains across five trim levels, Kia is expected to expand the truck's availability to other key pickup markets. However, these markets don't include America, as Kia has confirmed that there will be a different truck for the US market, rivaling nameplates like the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger. Details are scarce for now, but we know that it will have a robust towing system and off-roading capabilities. Kia aims to eventually sell 90,000 units of its unnamed American truck annually and hold 7% of the market. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Korea Herald
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
Will new Nexo revive shrinking hydrogen mobility push?
Hyundai set to boost hydrogen-driven eco-friendly transition with new fuel cell SUV, but market interest in hydrogen mobility remains low Hyundai Motor is set to launch the fully revamped Nexo as early as this month in Korea, seven years after introducing its sole fuel-cell-powered sport utility vehicle currently on the market. With improved performance and fuel efficiency over its predecessor, the new Nexo is positioned to lead Hyundai's initiative to drive the global transition to hydrogen mobility — a vision first outlined in 1998 by Chung Mong-koo, honorary chair and father of current Chair Chung Euisun. 'Nexo represents the essence of sustainable mobility proposed by Hyundai Motor,' said Chung Yoo-seok, executive vice president of Hyundai Motor, during the vehicle's unveiling at the Seoul Mobility Show in April. 'We will accelerate the expansion of the global hydrogen ecosystem beyond Korea's borders and aim to achieve our annual sales target of 11,000 units.' However, recent market conditions cast uncertainty over the ambitions of the world's leading hydrogen vehicle maker. Declining demand for fuel cells In recent years, Korea's fuel-cell electric vehicle market has declined. According to SNE Research, sales dropped from 10,336 vehicles in 2022 to 3,688 in 2024, marking a 65 percent decrease. This downturn reflects deeper structural challenges for FCEVs, rather than a temporary pause, as the transition to eco-friendly mobility is increasingly driven by battery electric vehicles, experts said. 'Many consumers are still hesitant even about EVs, which are far more familiar,' said an industry source who requested anonymity. 'So it's no surprise that skepticism runs even deeper when it comes to hydrogen.' Limited charging access and high hydrogen fuel prices also remain major hurdles for fuel cell mobility. Korea has around 221 hydrogen stations — more than Japan, the US or Germany — but drivers still face inconvenience when refueling. 'Due to amplified safety concerns, strict regulations have resulted in limited station hours and the placement of stations far from residential areas, even though such risks can be mitigated through multiple layers of safety measures,' said Lee Ho-geun, professor of automotive engineering at Daeduk University. Amid these ongoing challenges, the launch of the new model is expected to have a limited impact on the market. Hyundai sold around 750 FCEVs domestically in the first quarter of 2025, and projections suggest that total annual sales may remain close to last year's levels despite the new launch. The global market also shows limited reason for optimism, with only Hyundai and Toyota currently active in the passenger hydrogen vehicle segment. Worldwide sales of FCEVs dropped from 20,704 sales in 2022 to 12,866 in 2024. The decline appears sharper in the passenger segment because China, which has grown to account for 55 percent of global FCEV sales, remains focused mainly on commercial rather than private vehicles. 'Globally, the eco-friendly vehicle market is still largely driven by government policies, such as subsidies, since automakers have yet to achieve the cost and performance competitiveness needed to rival internal combustion engine models,' said Lee. 'Because many countries want to protect their local industries and lack proprietary hydrogen vehicle technology, they are not actively pursuing policies to adopt these vehicles.' Staunch commitment, but long road ahead Despite the discouraging outlook for hydrogen, Hyundai Motor Group has strengthened its momentum in hydrogen mobility efforts since last year, aiming to retain its leading position in the hydrogen mobility era expected to follow EVs. In 2024, it integrated the fuel cell business of its parts-making unit, Hyundai Mobis, into Hyundai Motor Co. to boost synergy between hydrogen technology and vehicle manufacturing. Separately, the group established an overseeing team to complete the hydrogen business value chain, moving beyond a sole focus on fuel cell production. The group also forged partnerships with rivals Toyota and General Motors to collaborate on hydrogen strategies. 'We will work with global partners and harness our full capabilities across the hydrogen value chain to accelerate the adoption of a hydrogen-powered society,' emphasized the group's Vice Chair Chang Jae-hoon at the World Hydrogen Summit 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in May. Lee also echoed Hyundai's expansion of cooperation with other companies, saying, 'Hyundai needs to expand the overall market by licensing some basic technologies to other automakers at minimal royalty fees.' However, Kim Pil-su, a car engineering professor at Daelim University, said yearslong efforts are still needed before fuel cell vehicles can become a profitable business. 'The hydrogen mobility sector still faces numerous challenges, including high costs and issues related to hydrogen generation, delivery and storage,' he said, noting that automakers in the US and Europe have abandoned plans to launch fuel-cell passenger cars. 'For hydrogen to be truly eco-friendly (to be widely accepted by countries), it must move beyond heavy reliance on fossil fuels for production. However, mass production through water electrolysis is expected to take over a decade.'
Korea Herald
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
BorgWarner: ‘We're ready for any powertrain — and Korea is key'
US-headquartered auto parts maker highlights resilient tech portfolio spanning combustion engines, EVs, and hybrids BorgWarner, a global automotive parts supplier headquartered in the United States, is working to further expand its presence in Korea based on its resilient portfolio. 'We have the ambition to do a lot of business in Korea, and that's one of the reasons we are here,' Pierre Boitard, vice president at BorgWarner responsible for overseeing the business and operations of turbos and thermal technologies in Asia, told The Korea Herald in Seoul on Thursday. BorgWarner currently operates eight plants and one research and development center in Korea. 'We've been basically showcasing all our current products and innovations that we are bringing, like our new battery systems but also our integrated generator system,' said Helmut Forster, vice president at BorgWarner responsible for all sales activities of the auto parts maker's turbos and thermal technologies, in the same interview. BorgWarner showcased its latest electric vehicle-related developments, such as lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, batteries, next-generation inverters and high-voltage coolant heaters, at the Seoul Mobility Show in March this year. 'If we're able to find customers here for local needs, then it makes absolutely sense also to localize those products to bring those products into Korea as a local production, then we're talking about expansion,' said Forster. The BorgWarner executives noted that they recently celebrated a big business win in Korea without disclosing any details about the secured order. The client list of the auto parts supplier includes Hyundai Motor, Kia and KG Mobility. Asked how the US government's tariff policies would impact BorgWarner's business efforts, Boitard pointed out that BorgWarner's global footprint and the way its supply chains are organized allow the company to adapt to different circumstances. '(The automotive) industry is very much about addressing local markets,' said Boitard. 'If you were to centralize everything in one place, and if ties are being cut, then it's becoming a problem, but that is not how we operate. We have plants in every location where we are needed, and we organize our supply chain in the most efficient way to make sure that we are able to supply our customers where they are.' As automakers across the globe are shifting towards electric vehicles, BorgWarner has been speeding up the development of EV-related auto parts as the company set a goal for its EV sales to account for 45 percent of total revenue by 2030. BorgWarner posted $14.1 billion in sales in 2024, with EV and hybrid-related products taking up approximately 16.6 percent. 'We are really having a very resilient portfolio because we haven't given up on our combustion portfolio,' said Forster. 'If combustion stays longer, we're good. If (battery electric vehicles) accelerates, we have it. And if hybrids are in between, stay till 2035 or 2040, we're good. So we're able to adapt. We have a very resilient product portfolio within our global presence. …Whatever powertrain, we have a solution anywhere in the world. So when things move one way or another, we can shift gears because we have everything already available.' As for the Korean auto market being uniquely dominated by one auto conglomerate Hyundai Motor Group and its three brands of Hyundai Motor, Kia and Genesis, Forster said it is challenging but drives BorgWarner forward to deliver the best products. 'We have to deliver top-notch performance here, otherwise this wouldn't work,' said Forster. 'So we have special development programs running for projects in Korea. Some of my global teams are working specifically for this market or for the specific requirements. So it is challenging. There is a drive towards technology here and really pushing the limits and we need to support that.' hwkan@
Korea Herald
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
BorgWarner: ‘We're ready for any powertrain — and Korea is key'
US-headquartered auto parts maker highlights resilient tech portfolio spanning combustion engines, EVs, and hybrids BorgWarner, a global automotive parts supplier headquartered in the United States, is working to further expand its presence in Korea based on its resilient portfolio. 'We have the ambition to do a lot of business in Korea, and that's one of the reasons we are here,' Pierre Boitard, vice president at BorgWarner responsible for overseeing the business and operations of turbos and thermal technologies in Asia, told The Korea Herald in Seoul on Thursday. BorgWarner currently operates eight plants and one research and development center in Korea. 'We've been basically showcasing all our current products and innovations that we are bringing, like our new battery systems but also our integrated generator system,' said Helmut Forster, vice president at BorgWarner responsible for all sales activities of the auto parts maker's turbos and thermal technologies, in the same interview. BorgWarner showcased its latest electric vehicle-related developments, such as lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, batteries, next-generation inverters and high-voltage coolant heaters, at the Seoul Mobility Show in March this year. 'If we're able to find customers here for local needs, then it makes absolutely sense also to localize those products to bring those products into Korea as a local production, then we're talking about expansion,' said Forster. The BorgWarner executives noted that they recently celebrated a big business win in Korea without disclosing any details about the secured order. The client list of the auto parts supplier includes Hyundai Motor, Kia and KG Mobility. Asked how the US government's tariff policies would impact BorgWarner's business efforts, Boitard pointed out that BorgWarner's global footprint and the way its supply chains are organized allow the company to adapt to different circumstances. '(The automotive) industry is very much about addressing local markets,' said Boitard. 'If you were to centralize everything in one place, and if ties are being cut, then it's becoming a problem, but that is not how we operate. We have plants in every location where we are needed, and we organize our supply chain in the most efficient way to make sure that we are able to supply our customers where they are.' As automakers across the globe are shifting towards electric vehicles, BorgWarner has been speeding up the development of EV-related auto parts as the company set a goal for its EV sales to account for 45 percent of total revenue by 2030. BorgWarner posted $14.1 billion in sales in 2024, with EV and hybrid-related products taking up approximately 16.6 percent. 'We are really having a very resilient portfolio because we haven't given up on our combustion portfolio,' said Forster. 'If combustion stays longer, we're good. If (battery electric vehicles) accelerates, we have it. And if hybrids are in between, stay till 2035 or 2040, we're good. So we're able to adapt. We have a very resilient product portfolio within our global presence. …Whatever powertrain, we have a solution anywhere in the world. So when things move one way or another, we can shift gears because we have everything already available.' As for the Korean auto market being uniquely dominated by one auto conglomerate Hyundai Motor Group and its three brands of Hyundai Motor, Kia and Genesis, Forster said it is challenging but drives BorgWarner forward to deliver the best products. 'We have to deliver top-notch performance here, otherwise this wouldn't work,' said Forster. 'So we have special development programs running for projects in Korea. Some of my global teams are working specifically for this market or for the specific requirements. So it is challenging. There is a drive towards technology here and really pushing the limits and we need to support that.'
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Automaker reveals polarizing EV concept with unexpected silhouette and astounding range: 'I'm even more sold now'
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 has turned heads with its unique, futuristic design. While its bold looks aren't for everyone, the automaker isn't backing down. Instead, the company has given the beloved Ioniq a new style while potentially boosting its already impressive driving range. Car experts were excited to have a first look at the electric vehicle at the Seoul Mobility Show. The updated Ioniq features several sleek design tweaks. As highlighted in a video tour by TFLEV, the front end appears wider and smoother, incorporating ultra-thin LED headlights. Perhaps the most significant change is on the back, where the previous double-deck wing spoiler has been replaced with a more subtle, vintage duckbill spoiler. The shape gives it, as InsideEVs noted, "classic Porsche 911 vibes. … I'm even more sold now." While powertrain specifics haven't been announced for the U.S. market, there's speculation it could receive the larger 84 kilowatt-hour battery recently introduced in other Hyundai and Kia EVs. The current Ioniq 6 already achieves up to 361 miles of Environmental Protection Agency-rated range with its 77.4 kWh battery. Combining the refined aerodynamics with a bigger battery could push the 2026 model close to, or even past, an astounding 400 miles on a single charge. A sportier N line trim, borrowing cues from the performance-focused Ioniq 5 N, was also previewed. For car buyers thinking of making the switch to electric, this updated Ioniq touts several advantages. Besides the incredible range, drivers benefit from significant fuel savings compared to gasoline cars and drastically reduced maintenance costs with no fluid or oil changes. EVs also offer a quiet, smooth ride with instant acceleration and zero tailpipe pollution, which means cleaner air in our communities. While EV battery production does have an environmental impact, studies show it's quickly offset by the lack of daily pollution from burning gasoline — a Tesla Model 3, for instance, becomes cleaner than a comparable gas car after just 13,500 miles. According to the International Energy Agency, about 30 million tons of minerals are needed annually for EV batteries and other technology key to the clean energy transition. This figure is far less than the 16.5 billion tons of dirty energy sources taken from the earth each year. The first look at the new Ioniq generated positive buzz. If you were going to purchase an EV, which of these factors would be most important to you? Cost Battery range Power and speed The way it looks Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. MotorTrend noted that "extra accessory and window switches" on the driver's side was "a welcome change. … Less hand movement … mak[es] it not only more comfortable but also safer." The host, Tommy Mica, described the Korean-market model primarily as "a design refresh" but acknowledged the possibility for significant battery upgrades. If this sleeker, potentially longer-range Ioniq 6 makes it to the United States, it will represent a compelling evolution for an already strong electric sedan. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
