Korean cars: brands and their history

The rapid development of the Korean economy in the second half of the twentieth century led to an increase in demand for vehicles. The automotive industry has started to grow actively, so today several large brands are known at once to the world. How did they evolve?

History of Daewoo

A list of Korean car brands can begin with this brand, which is especially beloved by women due to the production of compact cars. The story began with a modest motor repair company. The workshop called Shinjin Motors was engaged in GM engines and by the beginning of the seventies was able to get the status of the plant. At that time, the brand's purpose and name were changed, and the production of South Korean cars began. The name Daewoo is related to the corporation that bought the share of shares, previously engaged in shipbuilding and the production of household appliances. From the eighties to the European market, these Korean cars were launched. The brands under which the first model became known are surprising - in some countries it was Opel Kadett E, in America - Pontiac Le Mans, and Europeans learned about it as Daewoo Racer. All this is the same machine. In the early nineties Daewoo Nexia was launched, the second generation of which is still in production. In addition, the public was represented Espero - a model created by the famous design studio Bertone and became incredibly popular. The nineties were the time of the South Korean crisis. But today the brand is quite successful and has in its range such famous models as Matiz and Lanos.

History of Hyundai

Korean cars of "Hyundai" brand appeared on the market in 1967. The company began with the release of models for the "Ford", but soon began to manufacture their own cars. The firm cooperated with Mitsubishi and the Italian design studio, so the very first Pony car turned out to be successful and attractive. In 1975, supplies previously planned only for the local market, began in South America, the Middle East, and Africa. Ten years later, Korean cars of the brand Hyundai are already known throughout the world, and the company is the leading in the country. Since 1986, machines from the brand have been supplied to the United States market. In the nineties the company developed its own engines and released several successful budget cars. The twenty-first century was the time of release of popular crossovers, the best of which was Hyundai Solaris.

History of KIA

The whole world loves these reliable Korean cars. The brands whose list we are considering can not boast of such a vast history: KIA Motors was founded already in 1944. However, then it had a different name - KyungSung Precision Industry. The first years the company produced parts for bicycles. After the war, as a result of which the country was divided into the Southern and Northern parts, the company received a new name, which is still known today, and started producing two-wheeled vehicles. By 1962, the KIA's range was already a motorcycle and a truck. In ten years, the government will give the company a license to manufacture cars, and a new page in the history of the brand will begin. The first model was KIA Brisa, which proved to be extremely successful. To date, the brand has been developing steadily, now and then releasing new series of cars. Some of the best are Sportage and Clarus II, which is considered the flagship.

History of SsangYong

Korean cars of SsangYong brand Have been manufactured since 1967, although the model range remained extremely modest for a long time and was expanded only in 1986, after the acquisition of Keohwa, a company engaged in off-road vehicles. Already in 1988 appeared SsangYong Korando, a compact crossover with a powerful diesel engine. This is the first step to success - the company starts cooperation with European brands and in the nineties gets world fame. At the moment, the controlling interest is bought by the Daewoo concern, although the development directions for them do not coincide.