April 3, 2009 (Dong-a Ilbo)

The Seoul Motor Show opened yesterday with a media preview at the KINTEX exhibition center in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.

Utilizing the country’s largest motor show as a chance to revive the flagging domestic auto industry, domestic carmakers stepped up efforts to grab visitor attention by displaying their new models and hosting events.

The seventh edition of the show opens today and will run through Sunday next week.

– Co-existence between nature and humans

Reflecting the global emphasis on protecting the environment, participating automakers at home and aboard are displaying their latest eco-friendly vehicles and technologies.

Hyundai Motor unveiled the LPG-electric hybrid Avante LPI Hybrid, the first model of the company’s eco-friendly brand Blue Drive.

Blue Drive signifying nature, mobility and drive made its worldwide debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show in November last year. Along with the LPI hybrid Avante, which will be mass produced from next year, the country’s largest automaker unveiled the plug-in hybrid concept car Blue Will (HND-4) slated for mass production in 2012.

Sister company Kia Motors also displayed its eco-friendly models, including three hybrid cars: the LPG hybrid electric compact sedan Forte; the crossover utility vehicle Soul; and the compact sedan Cee’d.

Toyota of Japan, which joined the Seoul Motor Show for the first time, set up a separate zone to display its entire hybrid lineup including the RX450h and the company’s flagship hybrid Prius. Honda exhibited its second-generation hybrid Insight and the sport hybrid concept car CR-Z.

GM Daewoo Auto and Technology unveiled its next generation plug-in electric car Chevrolet Volt and the fuel-cell electric vehicle Chevrolet Equinox.

Ssangyong Motor displayed its new diesel hybrid vehicle Kyron.

Car parts makers such as Hankook Tire, Hyundai Mobis, Mando and Halla Climate Control exhibited parts that incorporate state-of-the-art eco-friendly technologies.

– CEOs, union leaders and celebrities join publicity campaigns

CEOs, union leaders and celebrities participated in the event to promote their products.

A successor to the Kia Sorento was unveiled by the company’s president Seo Yeong-jong, who was clad in casual attire with a headset, and Kia union leader Kim Jong-seok.

The pop music group Girl’s Generation promoted the successor to GM Daewoo’s subcompact Matiz. Renault Samsung Motors held a fusion performance of Korean classical music before unveiling its New SM3.

Ford Korea had baseball pitcher Bong Jung-keun, actor Lee Seong-jae and talent Park Yong-ha to promote its Lincoln MKZ and next year’s Mustang.

Volkswagen Korea’s publicity ambassador Sean and his wife Jeong Hye-yeong held an unveiling event for the Tiguan R-Line.

Kang Cheol-gu, director of the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association, said, “Hopefully, the Seoul Motor Show will serve as an opportunity to turn around the lackluster domestic auto industry.”

Source: Dong-a Ilbo
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