The cool morning air at Kintex in Goyang City, Gyeonggi-do (Gyeonggi Province) could not calm down the heated atmosphere at the 2013 Seoul Motor Show. Hundreds of journalists and VIPs from the auto industry took part in the press day held on March 28. A total of 331 automotive companies from 13 countries are taking part in the biennial motor show, which will continue until April 7.

The motor show has come a long way since its introduction. The only local motor show certified by the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, it not only grew in size in terms of exhibition space and the number of participants but also in the quality of the show and the degree of international influence.

“It is always interesting to see new technologies and designs,” said a BMW Korea official who asked for anonymity. “I think the media exposure of the show is much bigger and I stayed in Korea for four years and it is a more important event than it was four years ago.”

A total of 331 automotive companies from 13 countries are participating in the biennial Seoul Motor Show at Kintex, Goyang, which will continue until April 7 (photo: Yonhap News).

A total of 331 automotive companies from 13 countries are participating in the biennial Seoul Motor Show at Kintex, Goyang, which will continue until April 7 (photo: Yonhap News).


The exhibition space has nearly doubled, filling both of Kintex’s exhibition halls for the first time since the second hall was added in late 2011. With the total exhibition space covering 101,431 square meters, the showrooms for each brand are much bigger, giving more room to the cars on display, and the atmosphere is much more pleasant.

Cha Ki-woong, a deputy general manager at Ssangyong Motor, said the automaker -- known for a range of sport utility vehicles and the luxury Chairman sedan -- occupies 2,000 square meters of exhibition space as opposed to the 1,500 square meters it was allotted two years ago.

The kinds of new technologies and new vehicles unveiled at the show are also more interesting. Francois Bancon, the deputy division general manager for Nissan Motor which manufactures the Infiniti luxury automotive brand, unveiled the Infiniti LE Concept, its first zero-emission luxury sedan. The car was unveiled to the public in Asia for the first time since it premiered at the New York International Auto Show in 2012. What is notable about the concept car is that it allows wireless charging, doing away with the need for plugging in and cables.

Hyundai Motor’s luxury sports coupe concept car HND-9 is unveiled at the 2013 Seoul Motor Show (photo: Yonhap News).

Hyundai Motor’s luxury sports coupe concept car HND-9 is unveiled at the 2013 Seoul Motor Show (photo: Yonhap News).


Hyundai Motor revealed the HND-9 luxury sports coupe concept to the world for the first time. The concept car, whose design is expected to influence the next generation of Hyundai’s sports coupes, is reminiscent of super luxury cars such as the Aston Martin. Its design is characterized by Hyundai’s design philosophy Fluidic Sculpture, the front hexagonal grill, and strong character lines. It is equipped with a 3.3-liter turbo GDi engine and has butterfly doors and 22-inch alloy wheels.

“The vehicle is a combination of performance and luxury with its design focusing on simplicity and fluidic sculpture,” said Mykola Kindratyshyn, a senior designer at Hyundai Motor America.

Although Hyundai said it is a concept car and is not intended for manufacture, the company will come up with a mass-production version of the model in the future.

Kia Motors’ four-door coupe concept car CUB is unveiled at the 2013 Seoul Motor Show at Kintex in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do, on March 28 (photo: Yonhap News).

Kia Motors’ four-door coupe concept car CUB is unveiled at the 2013 Seoul Motor Show at Kintex in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do, on March 28 (photo: Yonhap News).


Hyundai also laid out its vision of becoming an industry leader. “We are not going to be a fast follower anymore but will lead the auto industry,” said Kim Choong-ho, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company.

Kim said Hyundai has succeeded in mass-manufacturing fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV), a type of hydrogen-powered vehicle, for the first time in the world.

Hyundai’s sister company Kia Motors also came up with an eye-catcher, unveiling the four-door coupe concept car CUB. The cute little compact car is equipped with 19-inch wheels despite its small body and 1.6-liter turbo GDi engine producing a maximum horsepower of 204.

Ssangyong Motor’s ambitious premium sport utility vehicle concept LIV-1 is displayed at the 2013 Seoul Motor Show (photo: Yonhap News).

Ssangyong Motor’s ambitious premium sport utility vehicle concept LIV-1 is displayed at the 2013 Seoul Motor Show (photo: Yonhap News).


Meanwhile, GM Korea unveiled the Spark EV, an electric version of its mini car Spark. Mated with a coaxial drive unit, the electric motor churns out more than 130 horsepower (100 kW). It has been engineered to enable both regular alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) fast charging. The vehicle can be recharged to 80 percent of its capacity in just 20 minutes.

Renault Samsung Motors unveiled the fifth car in its regular lineup, the crossover QM3.

Foreign automakers also undraped a range of new vehicles for the Korean market. Volkswagen made public the Polo subcompact car, which will be the smallest offering in the local lineup from the German automaker. The model to be introduced to Korea is equipped with a 1.6-TDI diesel engine capable of producing 90 horsepower. It also unveiled the seventh-generation Golf for the first time in Asia. It will be introduced to Korean market in the latter half of the year.

Sergio Rocha (left), president and CEO of GM Korea, introduces the Chevrolet Spark EV, which the company recently started mass producing (photo: Yonhap News).

Sergio Rocha (left), president and CEO of GM Korea, introduces the Chevrolet Spark EV, which the company recently started mass producing (photo: Yonhap News).


Mercedes-Benz unveiled the new A-Class hatchback, which is based on its sibling B-Class and similar in shape and interior. The car will be available in Korea in the latter half of this year.

There are more than just cars at the motor show. Hyundai will run a night program on April 4 and 5, screening In My End Is My Beginning on April 4 and Broken City on April 5 for selected visitors.

Actor Yoo Ji-tae will appear and give away autographs at 5 p.m. on March 31 in front of the Renault Samsung showroom, while female speed skater Lee Sang-hwa will do the same at 1:30 p.m. on April 7 in front of the Kia Motors showroom, and actress Kim Tae-hee will show up in front of the Toyota showroom at 2 p.m. on April 6.

Mercedes-Benz’s new A-Class (right) and CLA-Class are revealed at the 2013 Seoul Motor Show on March 28 (photo: Yonhap News).

Mercedes-Benz’s new A-Class (right) and CLA-Class are revealed at the 2013 Seoul Motor Show on March 28 (photo: Yonhap News).


The motor show is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. until April 7. Ticket prices range from KRW 7,000 won to KRW 10,000. For directions, get off at Daehwa Station on line 3, and go out exit 2.