Author: Min-jae Kim

Seoul Semiconductor has begun mass production of its high-voltage (HV) opto-semiconductor technology for four major global automakers across the Americas, Europe and Asia, as the company seeks to expand its presence in the growing electric and hybrid vehicle market. The technology enables 12-volt single-chip operation, compared with the 3-volt LEDs commonly used in automotive applications. According to Seoul Semiconductor, the approach can reduce driver component counts by more than 10% while lowering power consumption by approximately 10% in hybrid and battery-electric vehicles. High-Voltage Architecture Reduces Conversion Losses The HV opto-semiconductor technology is based on a Multi-Junction P-N structure designed to…

Kia has introduced a wheelchair-accessible version of its PV5 electric van, developed in partnership with German vehicle conversion specialist AMF-Bruns. The new model, called the PV5 WAV, is designed for accessible passenger transport and provides space for both a wheelchair user and an accompanying passenger in the rear cabin. WAV stands for Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle. The electric van uses a side-mounted boarding ramp that allows wheelchair users to enter directly from the curbside. Kia said the telescopic two-piece ramp system was designed to adapt to varying road and pavement conditions. According to the company, the ramp reaches a maximum incline…

Kia has started exporting its PV5 electric van to Japan, completing another step toward the commercial launch of the company’s first purpose-built vehicle (PBV) in the country later this spring. The first shipment of the PV5 arrived at Mikawa Port in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture, in April and consisted of 34 vehicles. Kia manufactures the mid-sized electric van at its dedicated PBV production facility in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, where the company has allocated annual production capacity of 100,000 units for the model. The automaker has appointed Sojitz Corporation as local importer and distributor through a wholly owned subsidiary named…

Hyundai Mobis has expanded its portfolio of electric drive systems with the introduction of a new 160-kW powertrain, as the company seeks to strengthen its position in the global electrification market. The supplier, which is part of the Hyundai Motor Group, said the new system complements its existing 250-kW electric drive unit and will be followed by a smaller 120-kW variant aimed at compact vehicles and emerging markets. Hyundai Mobis said the broader product range is intended to support electric vehicles across multiple segments, from smaller passenger cars to premium models. See also: Hyundai Mobis Secures $9.17 Billion in Global…

Hyundai Motor has launched a pilot project in South Korea allowing electric vehicle batteries to be used on a subscription basis, marking a shift toward separating vehicle and battery ownership. The initiative, developed in collaboration with Hyundai Capital, is initially focused on taxi fleets and is expected to expand to private consumers later this year, according to local media reports including The Korea Times. See also: Hyundai Plans to Expand Simulated Gearshift Tech Beyond Performance EVs The program has been enabled by a regulatory exemption approved by Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport South Korea in November, allowing EV bodies…

Hyundai Motor is preparing to extend the simulated gearshift and engine sound technology introduced in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N to a wider range of its electric vehicles, as the company explores ways to enhance driver engagement in EVs. The system, which mimics the feel of gear changes and engine response, has been a defining feature of Hyundai’s high-performance N models. It has already been expanded to additional vehicles such as the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N and Hyundai Ioniq 9, with plans to introduce it to more mainstream models in the future. “We really want to have a proper [driving]…

Hyundai Motor has unveiled the Ioniq V, its first model in the Ioniq electric vehicle lineup developed specifically for China, at Auto China in Beijing. The production-ready model is derived from the recently presented Ioniq Venus concept and forms part of Hyundai’s broader strategy to expand its electric vehicle presence in the Chinese market. Unlike the globally available Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Ioniq V adopts a fastback crossover design, blending elements of a saloon, coupé and SUV. The model introduces a new design language called “The Origin,” tailored for Hyundai’s electric vehicles in China and focused on creating a premium…

Kia has lowered its 2030 electric vehicle sales target to 1 million units annually, marking the second consecutive reduction to its long-term EV ambitions as the automaker adjusts to shifting market conditions. The revised target was announced at Kia’s 2026 CEO Investor Day in Seoul and represents a cut of 260,000 units from the company’s previous goal, which had already been reduced last year. Despite the lower EV target, Kia said it still plans to expand its global EV lineup to 14 models by 2030, including passenger cars, SUVs and dedicated Platform Beyond Vehicle models. Hybrid vehicles are also expected…

Hyundai Motor on Friday officially introduced its electric vehicle brand Ioniq to the Chinese market, marking a renewed push by the South Korean automaker to regain ground in the world’s largest electric vehicle market. The company unveiled the Ioniq brand in China alongside the global debut of two concept vehicles, the Venus Concept and Earth Concept, ahead of the 2026 Beijing Auto Show. Hyundai said the launch represents a milestone in its electrification strategy in China and forms part of its “In China, For China, To Global” approach. “The introduction of the Ioniq brand is a milestone for Hyundai’s comprehensive…

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has revised subsidy rules for electric buses, introducing stricter battery performance criteria that could make it harder for Chinese manufacturers such as BYD, Higer, and Zhongtong to qualify for public funding. Under the updated framework, subsidies for low-floor electric buses will increase to as much as 90 million won (around €52,000), up from a previous flat rate of 87 million won. However, eligibility is now tied more closely to battery energy density, with higher thresholds required to secure full incentives. Authorities said batteries must exceed 500 Wh/L in energy density to qualify for maximum…

U.S. electric vehicle maker Tesla has reached the top position in South Korea’s imported vehicle market for the first time, surpassing traditional internal combustion engine competitors as demand for EVs accelerated. Data from the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association, cited by The Korea Herald, showed Tesla delivered 20,964 vehicles between January and March 2026, up 335% from a year earlier. The performance placed it ahead of BMW, which sold 19,368 units, and Mercedes-Benz with 15,862 units. The increase was driven by a surge in March, when deliveries exceeded the combined total from January and February. Earlier in the quarter,…

South Korean battery manufacturer LG Energy Solution has launched its participation in SDVerse, becoming the first battery company to join the business-to-business (B2B) automotive software marketplace as it expands beyond hardware into software and services for software-defined vehicles (SDVs). SDVerse, co-founded in 2024 by General Motors, Magna, and Wipro, provides a platform where automotive companies can list, search, and evaluate software solutions. LG Energy Solution is contributing five software products to the marketplace: Battery Platform SW, Safety Diagnostic Calibration Tool, Onboard FRISM, Onboard BLiS, and Onboard DASH. These offerings cover battery diagnostics, degradation analysis, and performance simulation, reflecting the company’s…