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Park Jin-hai

Korea Times K-Culture Reporter

Park Jin-hai primarily focuses on K-dramas, entertainment shows and actor interviews. Beyond that, she also pens articles covering the broader arts scene, with a particular emphasis on classical music, dance and various aspects of lifestyle. Since joining The Korea Times in 2013, she has made significant contributions in the realms of hallyu (Korean wave), industry news and international affairs.

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Companies

Bosch values communication

An employee looks for defects on Bosch’s assembly line at its Nuremberg plant in Germany. / Courtesy of BoschBy Park Jin-haiAndreas HamperBosch Senior Vice PresidentNUREMBERG, Germany ― What Hyundai Motor cars have in common with BMW, Mercedes is that all of them use Bosch car parts.Bosch is the world’s No.1 auto parts supplier by sales.In terms of direct injection, heart of the GDI engine, Bosch’s market share in gas-powered cars worldwide has grown to 60 percent since it began producing components for Volkswagen in 2000. This decade-long success has been possible because its products boast the lowest defect rate under each plant’s water-tight control process ― currently four parts per million (ppm) on average and far less than its target eight ppm.  When a defective part is found while assembling, it is disassembled immediately and must go through the whole process again from zero. All parts are marked with serial numbers that can be tracked back at any time.  "This process is universal in all our 12 plants in five countries manufact

May 31, 2015By Park Jin-hai
Companies

Lotus aims to raise business profile

Lee Hyuk, Lotus Korea general manager, stands between its popular sports car models the Elise CR, left, and Exige S. / Courtesy of Lotus KoreaBy Park Jin-haiLotus, less known to Korean customers, is eyeing a bigger market share in the local market by expanding its customer base and policies.“In Korea, Lotus largely remains as a car for a small number of racing fans. But, this will change as we are confident we can raise our market share given the ongoing popularity of motor sports," Lee Hyuk, general manager at Lotus Korea, said in an interview with The Korea Times.Lee said the local imported car market is heading toward maturity. "Therefore, demand for cars with some differences in surface design and specifications is on the rise. We think we have more chances today than any other time in Korea," the manager said at the K Hotel, in Yangjae, southern Seoul, last week.Lotus Korea plans to expand its customer base and network channels as part of strengthened customer policies. Lee said the company also plans to build its own service center."Korea started importing Lotus vehicles

May 31, 2015By Park Jin-hai
Companies

Hanwha to build 1.5GW solar plant in Jincheon

By Park Jin-haiThe nation’s leading solar cell maker Hanwha Q Cells Korea will build a 1.5 gigawatt (GW) solar cell plant in Jincheon, while recently merged Hanwha Q Cells will double production of its current 250 megawatt (MW) modules at its plant in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, Hanwha Group said Sunday.The company will invest 350 billion won in the solar cell plant, which will be completed within this year; and 10 billion won in the solar module plant, scheduled to be completed in September.The group said that the expansion was aimed at meeting increasing demand for cells and modules in the downstream solar energy market as well as preparing for additional orders following a recent large-scale order it received from the United States.Hanwah Q Cells closed a deal with U.S. power company NextEra Energy in April to supply 1.5 GW modules from the fourth quarter until the end of 2016.“By having new facilities we have ensured a stable supply NextEra Energy. And it also means we are prepared for the solar energy era,” a company official said.Also, the new plants

May 31, 2015By Park Jin-hai
Companies

Audi dismisses mileage inflation announcement

By Park Jin-haiWill Audi pay owners of its A3 3.0 TDI sedans for what the government claims was misleading information on their cars’ mileage?GM Korea made voluntary compensation to the tune of 32 billion won for about 80,000 Cruize subcompact vehicles, admitting that it inflated its mileage by 9 percent.Now the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport says that Audi has overstated its A3 3.0 TDI’s mileage by more than the permitted margin of error of 5 percent in previous tests carried out last year.Sources say that the car had its mileage inflated by over 10 percent.Audi previously stated that the vehicle’s mileage was 13 kilometers per liter.Audi said it correctly conducted a gas mileage test on the vehicles and never misled consumers."We never overstated the fuel efficiency of the A3 3.0 TDI sedan," an Audi Korea spokesman said. "We tested our vehicles under a European standard because we were told to do so early last year by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. We conducted the tests and then notified both the transport and the trade ministries in

May 28, 2015By Park Jin-hai
Companies

Infiniti taps culture in marketing

Infiniti signed a global partnership with Cirque du Soleil, one of the world’s most famous modern circus troupes, and has been sponsoring its performances in Korea since 2010. / Courtesy of Infiniti KoreaBy Park Jin-haiInfiniti Korea had its best year in 2014 with sales growing 150 percent, elevating into a truly “modern luxury” brand here.Its success in large part stems from cultural marketing ― presenting its brand to customers through various creative activities.  The move was part of efforts to allow customers to experience its premium vehicles.Examples of its cultural marketing include the company sponsoring performances, exhibitions and fashion shows.In 2010, the company signed a global partnership with Cirque du Soleil, Canada’s famous modern circus troupe to become an official sponsor. It sponsored the troupe's performances "Quidam," "Alegria," and "Varekai."In July 2013, the firm sponsored the local stage performance of the "Michael Jackson Immortal World Tour," a commemoration by the troupe of the legendary pop singer.It also sponsored clas

May 28, 2015By Park Jin-hai
Infiniti taps culture in marketing
Companies

Hyundai Sonata to take on Google's infotainment

By Park Jin-haiHyundai Motor’s 2015 Sonata will have Google’s infotainment system, Android Auto, in a first among global carmakers, Hyundai Motor America said Wednesday.Android Auto debuted last June at Google’s annual developer-focused conference. It enables drivers to make phone calls, listen to music apps and use Google’s mapping service by simply plugging a compatible phone (Android 5.0 or newer) into the car’s dashboard. “Android Auto aligns with Hyundai’s core interior design principles of safety, intuitiveness and simplicity,” said Dave Zuchowski, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. “We launched this highly anticipated feature on our best-selling Sonata, adding to our promise of value. With the launch of Android Auto, we provide more owners with the experience of cutting-edge technology.”Android Auto helps keep drivers’ eyes and attention on the road by integrating the advanced driving-related functions of the user’s smartphone with the familiar centralized screen, physical controls and microp

May 27, 2015By Park Jin-hai
Companies

Hyundai E&C leads construction boom in Iraq

The Hyundai E&C’s construction site in Habshan, southwesternAbu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. Hyundai won the $1.7 billion project from Iraq’s state gas company GASCO in 2009 to build a gas processing facility./ Courtesy of Hyundai E&CBy Park Jin-haiHyundai Engineering and Construction (E&C) is leading a second construction boom in Iraq.Last February, the company, signed a contract with the Iraq government to build an oil refinery in Kerbala, Iraq, 120 kilometers south of the country’s capital Bagdad.“The oil refinery construction contract signed last February will go down in Korean construction history,” said a company official.The $6.04 billion contract Hyundai E&C won in a consortium with three other Korean firms has been the largest single plant construction overseas project the company has ever had.    “It’s not only the size of the contract but also the way we bagged the project that has been praised highly. The joint venture is a successful model for overseas construction projects, where our rivals GS

May 27, 2015By Park Jin-hai
Companies

Mercedes marketing chief says Korea is crucial market

Mercedes-Benz S500 Plug-in Hybrid and AMG models, featuring intelligent drive features are parked for test-drive, at KINTEX, Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday./ YonhapBy Park Jin-haiMercedes-Benz held a workshop here on the car maker’s Intelligent Drive package, Tuesday.The presentation introduced its smart features, which make the pillars of autonomous driving, including steering assist Distronic Plus, which keeps vehicles in the center lane of traffic and adjusts steering automatically, and cross traffic assists BAS Plus, which spots danger at junctions and warns drivers.It held a test-drive event to show the technological advances the automaker has made in the field of safe and connected driving.The company says that Korea is an important market as a test bed for technological innovations, said visiting German brand’s marketing chief.“Korean market is very important to Mercedes-Benz. It is one of our top 10 markets around the world,” said Ola Kallenius,   sales & marketing head for Mercedes-Benz Cars, during the Intelligent Drive Workshop, at KINTE

May 26, 2015By Park Jin-hai
Mercedes marketing chief says Korea is crucial market
Companies

Fila Korea to open flagship store in Hong Kong

By Park Jin-haiFila Korea has opened its first flagship store in Hong Kong, the company said Monday.The 231 square meter store, located in the upscale shopping mall I Square in Tsim Sha Tsui, has been designed to show its brand identity and will serve as a springboard for the company’s market expansion into China.  “It is more than just expanding business opportunities in China, one of the most important markets together with the United States. The store’s symbolic meaning is so much greater,” said Yoon Yoon-soo, chairman of Fila International and Acushnet, during the opening ceremony Friday.“By showing Fila’s brand image to locals and tourists, the store will enforce the company’s global brand image,” added Yoon.Fila Korea, wholly owned and operated in Korea since the 2007 takeover of the Italian sportswear manufacturer Fila, has been actively expanding in China.The company established a joint venture Fila China, locally known as Full Prospect, with China’s ANTA, seeking business opportunities i

May 18, 2015By Park Jin-hai
Companies

DSME bags two oil tanker orders from Greece

By Park Jin-haiDaewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) said Monday that it had won an order to build two large crude carriers for Maran Tankers, an affiliate of the Greek shipping giant Angelicoussis Shipping Group.It will deliver two 156,000 ton Very Large Crude-oil Carriers (VLCC) by early 2017.The company did not disclose the value of the order at the request of the Greek shipper.However, given a single carrier costs about $65 million the contract is estimated to be about $130 million.  This is DSME’s second order from Maran Tankers following last month when it won another order for two VLCCs.The Suezmax Class carriers, with 130,000 to 150,000 dead weight tonnage, will be built at the company’s shipyard in Okpo, South Gyeongsang Province.“The competitiveness of a company starts from reinforcing the trust with current buyers. With close cooperation with the union, we will repay their trust by delivering top-quality vessels right on time,” newly-appointed CEO Chung Sung-rip said.Angelicoussis Shipping Group, since its first order in 1994, has

May 18, 2015By Park Jin-hai
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