Lee Min-hyung joined The Korea Times in 2014 and has worked as a journalist mainly in Korea’s finance, tech and automotive industry. He specializes in content creation, breaking news and in-depth analysis currently on transportation and mobility. You can reach him via mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr.
Grand Koleos E-Tech Hybrid delivered to EU ambassador
Renault Korea has delivered its Grand Koleos E-Tech Hybrid to EU Ambassador to Korea Maria Castillo Fernandez.
The vehicle, which underscores Renault Korea's commitment to fuel-efficient and eco-friendly mobility, will be used as the ambassador's official car.
EU Ambassador to Korea Maria Castillo Fernandez, right, drives Renault Korea's Grand Koleos E-Tech Hybrid during her visit to the carmaker's plant in Busan, Wednesday. At left is Renault Korea CEO Stephane Deblaise. Courtesy of Renault Korea
By Lee Min-hyung
The delivery ceremony on Wednesday coincided with a visit by the EU delegation to Renault Korea’s Busan plant. The ambassador was accompanied by the delegation's head of administration Andreas Heuberger, head of trade and economic section Walter Van Hattum and trade officer Jerome Sicaire. The delegation toured the facility and was briefed on key issues and the plant’s transformation.
“I was impressed by the excellent fuel efficiency of the Grand Koleos E-Tech Hybrid, which led me to choose Renault over other brands when purchasing a vehicle,” Fernandez said during the ceremony.
She also voiced her support for Renault Korea’s eco-friendly policies and shared her hopes for the success of the company’s Aurora Project.
The Grand Koleos E-Tech Hybrid stands out with a best-in-class system output of 245 horsepower and an official combined fuel efficiency of 15.7 kilometers per liter, based on 19-inch Techno trim tires. The vehicle offers superior NVH performance, advanced safety and cutting-edge convenience features. Built with ultra-high-strength materials, it provides enhanced safety and durability.
Earlier this year, Renault Korea’s Busan plant underwent a significant upgrade, halting production for a month to implement large-scale updates to 68 facilities. These changes enabled the plant to manufacture internal combustion engine vehicles, hybrid vehicles and the latest pure electric vehicles on a single mixed production line. This transformation positions the Busan plant as a key hub for Renault Korea’s future car projects.
In the second half of this year, the plant will begin collaborative production of the Polestar 4 electric vehicle, in addition to manufacturing models such as the Grand Koleos, Arkana, QM6 and SM6.