[k_nitin_r]

I expected people in Korea to be going 'Oppan Gangnam Style' over Hyundais and Kias because they make them. It's analogous to the way we Indians flock to Maruti because it is considered an Indian brand (though Suzuki bought out most of the company long ago).

Hyundai has been making its presence felt across most of the world with the Santa Fe, and it's through word-of-mouth rather than through advertising. It's surprising to see a Korean brand create such an influence on par with the bigger players - even Suzuki has been unable to create such a stir in the middle east.

BTW, I've always known Kia to offer unique colors - they had a pearly off-white about a decade ago that I never saw on any other cars.

[rajeev k]

Nice thread and pictures.
Do you have any idea on the difference between the green based and white based license plates.
Is the present daewoo trucks badged TATA-Daewoo?

[volkman10]

On a trip to S Korea on Sept 2013 and here are some of the observations.

Car scene dominated by Hyundai and KIA including buses and LCV'S
Samsung-Renault has considerable presence.
GM also seen in large numbers including Daewoo Trucks and Matiz's.
SsangYong also seen could be the 4th largest auto manufacturer there.

And quite a few Super cars!

European (considered luxury) are dominated by BMW, VW(Golf and Passat) and Mercedes.

Japanese brand though rare, but usually more of Lexus and a few Honda's.

Typical Korean downtown.


Dominance of Hyundai and Kia's


Hyundai Grandeur - Dominated in the taxi segment.




Hyundai's Luxury brand -Equus




Super Car - Maserati Quattroporte!








Cheers!

[Gannu_1]

Had been to S. Korea for a week last month (Busan and Ulsan) and here're some random clicks:

Loved the alloys on this A7:


The Hyundai Ioniq hybrid hatchback:


I'm really not sure if this is a proper W221 AMG since it doesn't sport a pair of twin exhausts:


A Veloster:


A Kia Morning. Lovely alloys but looks like a rip-off of the ones from the Alfa Romeo Giulietta (link):


A Kia Soul crossover:


An Audi SQ5 (loved the alloys!):


A Hyundai Equus limo (a beefed up version of this is the presidential car):


A Cadillac CT6 luxury sedan:


Audi A8L with a 6L W12 engine (quite a sight this one was!):


A Hyundai Dynasty sedan nearly 20 years old:


Lexus LS 460L:


Another Lexus LS 460L possibly pre-facelift:


4 lakh km on the odo of a Hyundai Grandeur taxi:


An A7 parked at our hotel parking:


The front:


An A8L parked next to a Genesis G80:


Loved the short stay there! Korea has a beautiful network of well laid roads and so many tunnels due to the geography of the place. They love their Hyundai and Kia cars so much that even the Presidential car is a top-end Hyundai Equus limosine with beefed up security! Also loved the GPS system that the owners had installed in their cars - a very intuitive system which displays all the essential information including the location of speed cams. If the car is speeding, the display flashes in inverted colors to grab the attention of the driver and indicates the proximity of a speed cam ahead with the distance to the cam urging him/her to slow down. Not many Japanese cars there but I did spot a few Lexus cars. They also have a thing for German cars. Spotted several Tiguans, Golfs, CCs and 1 Polo. Looks like VW has been banned from any sales due to the emissions scandal. The buses and trucks were mostly Hyundai and Daewoo. And all the cars I sat in during my short stay there, were automatics.