Auto expert seeks convergence
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Prof. Kim Pilsoo
By Choi Kyong-ae
A real Jack of all trades could be a good way to describe Kim Pilsoo, a 55-year-old professor who teaches automotive engineering at Daelim University.
Undoubtedly, Kim is one of the most respected automotive experts in Korea; government officials, industry figures, journalists and students searching for jobs in the industry all regularly seek his counsel.
His 20-year-long career in teaching, consulting and writing about the auto industry all began simply with his interest in cars. When Kim studied electrical engineering at university, he was also passionate enough about his hobby to go to an auto repair school at his own expense.
“When (the now defunct) Daewoo Motor launched the Lemans sedan equipped with an electronic control unit in 1986, I saw a burgeoning demand for electric-electronic systems in vehicles in the coming decades,” said Kim.
Currently, environment-friendly electric cars are composed of 60 to 70 percent of electric-electronic parts, followed by gasoline hybrid cars with 50 percent and gasoline-powered cars with 30 percent, the auto veteran said.
“As most gasoline cars are expected to have 40 percent of electric-electronic parts in five years, I see bigger opportunities to contribute my expertise and know-how with system-controlled cars,” he said.
However, there is a shortage of electric-electronic experts in the domestic automotive aftermarket industry – this covers everything from replacement parts, auto tuning, motor sports, used cars, auto lease and rental services to recycling.
“Customers demand quality services in the aftermarket sector. So companies want me to deliver their changing appetites toward cars and car-related services,” he said. “Convergence has become a key word in the auto industry. For engineers or professors, they have to be well-versed in aftermarket areas to satisfy customers’ demands.”
In Korea, carmakers have produced vehicles in the past with customers’ demands for designs and functions often ignored. These days, however, Korean carmakers such as Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors try to reflect these demands in an attempt to maintain their dominant market share amid tougher competition from imported vehicles, Kim explained.
“I am planning to establish an aftermarket research institute, possibly in cooperation with businesses. To lead the global auto industry, the country should have such an institute,” he said.
With the strength of the won and rising production costs remaining major obstacles for carmakers, he asked Hyundai and Kia to come up with upgraded models to compete with import brands such as BMW and Volkswagen, in particular.
To balance between work and family life, the workaholic professor likes to bring his better half out for a test drive. His job looks ideal for a couple who both love to get behind the wheel.