Thoughts on Korean Business by Don Southerton

For Immediate Release Denver, Colorado June 21, 2012 Author Don Southerton has announced the release of a new publication Hyundai and Kia Motors: The Early Years and Product Development. The eBook provides deep insights into the rise of the South Korean car industry. Southerton’s latest writing weaves  first-hand accounts of the challenges experienced by Korean management during the first years of Korean car production with the development of specific models,  such as Kia’s Brisa, Pride, Sephia, Sportage and Rio plus Hyundai’s Pony, Excel, and Santa Fe Southerton notes, “Today we are witnessing a remarkable transformation in Hyundai and Kia Motors’ brand image and sales are at record pace. This accomplishment was decades in the making. Hyundai and Kia Motors: The Early Years and Product Development shares the story behind this success.” The eBook will be available through Amazon, Kindle, iBook, and most digital media services. Apple link-- http://itunes.apple.com/us/b...

The new eBook will soon be released. Here's a short profile. Hyundai and Kia Motors: The Early Years and Product Development  by Donald G Southerton provides deep insights into the rise of the Korean car industry. From the 1960s to early 2000s, political and economic forces impacted the growth and development of the South Korean carmakers, including Hyundai and Kia Motors. In addition, the brands at times partnered for technology with Ford, Mazda, and Mitsubishi, along with world class designers like Giorgetto Giugiaro. Expanding rapidly the Korean brands soon looked to new international markets, including the U.S.  Despite the failure of Kia Motors to survive the IMF Crisis, the merger with Hyundai led to integrated technology research, development, and manufacturing-- not to mention the economies of scale needed for the Korean automaker to compete globally with industry heavyweights such as Toyota, Ford, GM, and VW.  Car models discussed including the...

By Don Southerton The 1997-98 IMF Crisis forced dramatic restructuring across South Korea’s car industry. Daewoo Motors, once a market leader, fell with the demise of the mother group and GM acquired their Korean manufacturing facilities. Samsung’s budding car division was sold to Renault, while SsangYong Motors entered into a protracted receivership.  In contrast, Kia Motors was able to have a new start--the merger with Hyundai Motor Company setting the stage for both brands to leap forward. New Management For Hyundai and Kia Motors, new management came at a time of considerable restructuring of the company and was led by Chung Mong Koo, the son of the Hyundai Group founder. Initially, the restructuring was a combination of fiscal cuts across the company along with consolidation of duplicate services, such as R&D and parts manufacturing, between the two brands. A new marketing plan for the brands was also launched with Kia focusing on the younger and stylish consumer and ...