The Paris Motor Show 2006 opened Thursday in Paris with Korean carmakers Hyundai, Kia, GM Daewoo and SsangYong introducing new models and concept cars targeting European consumers. Automakers from Europe and Japan are competing intensely in the fields of sports and hybrid cars.

The reason so many Korean carmakers take part in the Paris Motor Show is that they urgently want to boost their exports to Europe as shipments to the U.S. are losing money due to the strong won against the dollar.

Kia Motors unveiled its Cee’d line, developed with an eye on European customers by its chief design officer Peter Schreyer, who should know since he used to work for Volkswagen. The Cee’d will be produced at Kia’s Zilina factory in Slovakia, which is to be completed in December.

Hyundai Motor introduced a concept car named Arnejs at the show. The hatchback model equipped with a 2,000 cc diesel engine was developed by Hyundai’s design research institute in Europe. Korea’s largest car maker also introduced the Grandeur TG diesel model, which will be released at the end of this year, and a modified version of the Tuscani sports car.

SsangYong Motor also unveiled the Rexton II, which is equipped with a diesel engine meeting the Euro 4 emission standard, and the Actyon. GM Daewoo takes part under GM’s Chevrolet brand.

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- Source from Digital Chosun (28th Sep, 2006) -