Korean cars. See if you know all the brands and discover some fun facts!
We're kicking off a series of automotive fun facts in which every four-wheel fan will find something for themselves! Today we put cars of Korean make under the microscope, in a moment you'll learn everything about the flagship Korean brands and uncover some surprising fun facts! Ready? Take a look at the list ofKorean car brands and see whether you know them all!
Hyundai, the flagship Korean car
Let's start with the Korean giant, Hyundaithe car in which many a driver took their category B driving test. Founded in 1968, six years later it produced its first independently designed car, with the charming namePony. And although the brand's history seems short (compared, for example, to Opel, founded 100 years earlier), Hyundai swiftly overtook firms well established on the market. No wonder,hyundai means "the era of modernity" in Korean, and the manufacturer has focused on innovation from the very start.
Today this Korean passenger car brand (and not only that) is among the most profitable automotive companies. What's more, Hyundai's factory in the city of Ulsan is currently the largest car factory in the world. And did you know that the logo of Korean Hyundai cars has a hidden sign? The letter H depicts the silhouettes of two people shaking hands, the customer and a company representative who have just completed a deal.
KIA, the Korean car with the longest warranty
Cars of the Korean brand KIA are famous for the longest warranty on the market. It runs for as much as 7 years/150,000 km! No wonder, then, that various KIA models have featured for years in rankings of the most-bought cars. What are the brand's origins? It all began in 1944, when steel bicycle parts and tubes were produced under the Kyungsung Precision Industry name. Sixty years later, KIA was incorporated into the Hyundai Motor Group, to which it belongs to this day. Interestingly, in the brand's first logo the letter K had the shape of a chimney with billows of smoke. The current logo, on the other hand, is styled to look like a handwritten signature.
Fun fact: KIA made it into our ranking of the best city cars <- read the article and check out the gems!
SsangYong, Korean SUVs with history
A Korean brand of SUVs, off-road cars and vans. Founded in 1954, it initially produced, among other things, off-road vehicles for the American army. Today, however, in the range of Korean SsangYong cars you'll find, among others, crossovers, SUVs, pickups and the latest model, the Korando E-Motion, an electric car. Why did we fall in love with these Asian gems? The Korean manufacturer delights with its design, functionality and comfort, and on top of that tempts with attractive prices. The brand also has vivid symbolism, its logo forms the shape of two dragons: self-sufficiency and development. What's more, the name means "twin dragons" in Korean.
Daewoo, a past we won't forget
In 2011, the 28-year history of Korean Daewoo cars came to an end. The company enjoyed enormous popularity on the Polish market, and without a doubt many drivers still remember it fondly to this day. What was behind that interest? Mainly the affordable prices and the low costs of running the car. Besides, almost all the models rolled out of the Polish factories in Lublin and Warsaw. Probably every one of us knows the cult models, the Tico, Matiz, Nubira, Tacuma or Nexia. What happened to Daewoo? The manufacturer officially suspended operations in 2011 due to financial problems. In Poland, however, as early as 2005 Daewoo cars were rebranded as Chevrolet. Today you'll only find cars of the Daewoo brand on theused car market.
Genesis, Korean luxury from Hyundai
Finally, a little bonus, a South Korean newcomer that isn't yet on the Polish market. Genesis is a luxury car brand belonging to the Hyundai Motor Group. The youngest in our line-up, as it has been operating only since 2015. It currently operates mainly on the Korean and American markets, and has recently been conquering Europe. When will we see its premiere in Poland? It's not known, but it's definitely worth the wait, Genesis cars are prestige of the highest class, and in 2020 the brand received the title of themost reliable car brand in North America. Wondering how much the Genesis G80, the latest electric model, costs? Prices start at 48,000 dollars, that is around 220,000 PLN.