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.
Hyundai Motor, Kia, BMW focus on compact EVs at Busan Mobility Show
Chung Yoo-seok, vice president and head for Hyundai Motor’s domestic business division, introduces Casper Electric at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO) in the nation’s southern port city, Thursday. Yonhap
By Lee Min-hyung
Casper Electric unveiled for 1st time
BUSAN — Hyundai Motor, Kia and BMW have placed a strategic focus on compact electric vehicles (EVs) by showcasing their new lineups in the category at this year’s Busan Mobility Show, in an effort to overcome the frozen sentiment in the global EV market.
As the EV industry progresses toward widespread public adoption, hybrid cars are currently bridging the gap. However, carmakers have shown a strong commitment to expanding their EV lineups with smaller, more affordable models.
Hyundai Motor drew attention at the mobility fair on Thursday with the world’s first launch of the Casper Electric. This marks the debut of the brand’s smallest-ever crossover SUV in an all-electric version. The vehicle is equipped with a 49 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery, allowing it to travel up to 315 kilometers on a single charge.
“Casper Electric, unveiled for the first time in the world here, will drive the mass adoption and popularization of EVs,” Chung Yoo-seok, vice president and head for Hyundai Motor’s domestic business division, told reporters on the sidelines of the auto fair.
The compact EV has secured enhanced marketability, as its battery can be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent in only 30 minutes, according to Hyundai Motor, which added that this is fit for typical city drives. The vehicle will be priced at less than 30 million won ($21,600).
Kia displayed its full EV lineups — the EV3, EV6 and EV9 — during the fair, in a show of its determination to lead the upcoming EV era. Kia also focused on promoting the EV3 out of the lineups by running a special EV3-dedicated zone. The compact electric SUV was unveiled in May.
Kia's EV3 SUV is on display at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO) on the sidelines of this year's Busan Mobility Show, Thursday. Courtesy of Kia
Genesis, a luxury brand under Hyundai Motor Group, displayed its facelifted Electrified G80 mid-sized sedan for the first time on the sidelines of the fair.
BMW Korea showcased its small crossover iX2 EV and a set of other vehicles, including ones from its MINI brand.
The company was the only imported carmaker to set up a booth at the mobility show. Many other foreign carmakers opted out of participating this year due to declining popularity and minimal marketing impact of the event.
But BMW reiterated its strong will to give back to regional societies by widening its corporate activities for the co-prosperity with them.
“BMW Korea will set a new stepping stone to realize sustainable corporate activities with regional communities,” BMW Korea CEO Han Sang-yun said.