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[News Article] Hyundai Card inks deal with U.S. card giant Visa

Hyundai Card inks deal with U.S. card giant Visa    BY JIN MIN-JI, Korea JoongAng Daily - strategic partnership between Hyundai Card and Visa has been agreed to jointly develop data products and solutions, said the local card company on Monday.   Over a third owned by Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai Card develops data solutions using artificial intelligence. The solutions used for customized marketing are provided to its private-label credit card partners, it said.    Visa, the largest credit card network in the United States in terms of purchase volume and credit cards in circulation, operates in around 200 countries.    Full details of the deal have yet to be disclosed.    “We look forward to working with Visa and combining both companies’ expertise to providing advanced solutions that meet the needs of our partners and customers,” said Ted Chung, Vice Chairman and CEO of Hyundai Card in a statement.    “In addition to bolstering our data capabilities, we envision a future where our data-driven technologies will transform the way individuals and businesses interact with financial services.”   “Our partnership with Hyundai Card marks an exciting milestone where we are leveraging data analytics to drive innovative payments experiences. Visa and Hyundai Card are deeply aligned in our strategies on responsible data use and value-creating data innovation to address evolving consumer preferences and expectations,” said Visa CEO Ryan McInerney.    “We look forward to working with Hyundai Card to be at the forefront of innovative solutions that help individuals, businesses, and economies thrive,” added McInerney.   Source: https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2023/06/26/business/finance/korea-hyundai-card-visa/20230626164728943.html 

2023.06.27

[News Article] 현대차그룹, 커넥티드 카 서비스 가입자 ‘1000만명’ 돌파

현대차그룹, 커넥티드 카 서비스 가입자 ‘1000만명’ 돌파  매일경제 박소현 기자 - 현대자동차그룹의 커넥티드 카 서비스 가입자가 가파른 증가세를 보인 끝에 1000만명을 돌파했다.  현대차그룹은 자사 커넥티드 카 서비스 가입자 수가 2021년 8월 500만명을 달성한 이후 1년 10개월 만에 1000만명을 넘어섰다고 26일 밝혔다. 현재 현대차 블루링크, 기아 커넥트, 제네시스 커넥티드 서비스가 운영되고 있다. 커넥티드 카 서비스의 글로벌 시장 확대에 따라 해외 가입자 수는 지난해 10월 국내를 추월한 것으로 집계됐다.  커넥티드 카 서비스는 자동차의 소프트웨어에 무선 네트워크를 결합해 인포테인먼트 시스템과 스마트폰으로 차량을 편리하게 이용하는 서비스다. 길 안내, 음성인식, 원격제어 등 기본적인 서비스를 넘어 최근에는 원격진단과 무선(OTA) 소프트웨어 업데이트, 간편결제, 비디오·오디오 스트리밍 같은 혁신적인 서비스로 진화 중이다.  현대차·기아는 지난 2003년 국내 최초로 커넥티드 카 서비스를 선보이며 세계 시장에서도 이를 확대하고 있다. 미국에서는 2011년 6월 서비스를 시작했다. 이후 중국과 유럽, 인도에 이어 최근 싱가포르까지 서비스 국가를 넓혀 현재 총 50여 개 국가 고객에게 서비스를 제공하고 있다.  도로에서 운행되는 커넥티드 서비스 가입 차량이 늘어날수록 이들이 생성하는 교통 신호, 차량의 센서 정보와 운행 정보 등 각종 데이터의 양은 크게 늘어난다. 양질의 빅데이터 확보는 인공지능 딥러닝 기술 적용을 더욱 용이하게 해주는 동시에 신속한 데이터 분석과 처리의 바탕이 된다.  현대차그룹은 앞으로도 동남아시아 등 커넥티드 카 서비스 미운영 지역으로 서비스 진출을 적극 검토해 규모의 경제를 달성하고, 글로벌 주요 서비스 사업자와의 제휴 협력을 강화해 고객의 다양한 요구를 반영한 혁신적인 서비스를 지속 개발한다는 계획이다. 현대차·기아는 2026년 국내를 포함한 글로벌 가입자 수가 2000만명에 달할 것으로 내다봤다.  권해영 현대차·기아 인포테인먼트개발센터장(상무)은 “모든 이동 여정을 물 흐르듯 연결하는 소프트웨어 기로 데이터를 결합하고 가공해 고객을 만족시키는 서비스를 계속 선보이겠다”면서 “더욱 개인화된 서비스를 제공할 수 있는 생태계를 확대할 것”이라고 말했다.  출처: https://www.mk.co.kr/news/business/10769000

2023.06.27

[News Article] SK Innovation to raise $901 million via rights offering

SK Innovation to raise $901 million via rights offering  The Korea Herald - SK Innovation Co., South Korea's leading energy company, said Friday it will raise 1.18 trillion won (US$901 million) by issuing new shares, in an effort to secure funds for investment in green energy.   The board approved the plan to sell 8.19 million common shares, or 8.7 percent of the company's stocks, at a price of 143,800 won per share, SK Innovation said in a regulatory filing.   The final offering price will be decided in September, and the stocks will first be sold to existing shareholders before being offered to the public.   "We are investing big in green energy businesses, including battery, small modular reactors and hydrogen, and the offering of new shares is intended to secure a sound financial structure to speed up those projects," SK Innovation CEO Kim Jun said in a letter to the shareholders.   Kim said the company is expected to achieve its green transition accounting for 70 percent of its entire portfolio by 2024, about a year ahead of its initial goal. As of 2020, its green energy portion had been about 30 percent.   SK Innovation, a unit under South Korea's SK Group, has mainly engaged in oil refining and petrochemicals. In recent years, it has been pivoting the businesses to secondary batteries, plastic recycling and other green energy sectors.   SK Innovation Co., which has battery-making unit SK On Co. under its wing, said in March it is considering a buyback of its own stocks worth as much as 10 percent of its market cap when SK On goes public. (Yonhap)   Source: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2023/06/419_353565.html 

2023.06.27

[News Article] Apple R&D accelerator discuss smart manufacturing with Korean SMEs

Apple R&D accelerator discuss smart manufacturing with Korean SMEs By Jo He-rim, The Korea Herald - Apple's first manufacturing research and development accelerator discussed the impacts of artificial intelligence and machine learning in smart manufacturing with small and medium-sized businesses in South Korea, the iPhone maker said Friday. Apple Manufacturing R&D Accelerator held its first Smart Manufacturing Forum in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, for two days from Wednesday, inviting hundreds of guests from SMEs, industry experts and academia to exchange insights on smart manufacturing, the company said. The manufacturing R&D accelerator is Apple's first manufacturing specialized entity it launched worldwide. Located at Postech in the southeastern city of Pohang, the accelerator has been providing free lectures, training and one-on-one consulting to small and medium-sized manufacturing companies with smart process-related equipment, Apple Korea said. "We are proud to host our first-ever Smart Manufacturing Forum at the Apple R&D Accelerator in Pohang. I am impressed by their creativity and passion, and I’ve never been more confident that Korea will continue to be a pioneer in smart manufacturing," Priya Balasubramaniam, Apple’s vice president of operations, said in her keynote speech. "Not many companies have bridged the gap between conventional and smart manufacturing. Many, especially small and medium-scale enterprises, don’t know where to begin. At Apple, we believe that we can help bridge this gap. And we saw an opportunity to work toward that mission here. She also said the success and growth of manufacturing in Korea is the reason why Apple chose the country to launch its first manufacturing R&D accelerator. At the forum, experts from World Economic Forum Global Lighthouse Network companies, including Posco, LG Electronics, LS Electric and Kenvue, shared their success stories of unlocking the smart manufacturing process, Apple said. Experts from Apple, industry and academia also participated in panel discussions on the success stories and impact of AI and machine learning in smart manufacturing. The participating SMEs also took part in various activities, including workshops, classroom training and lab sessions with industry experts. Source: http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230623000566&np=1&mp=1

2023.06.27

[News Article] LG Energy Solution to Support 10 Battery Startups

LG Energy Solution to Support 10 Battery Startups  By Jasmine Choi, BusinessKorea - LG Energy Solution announced on June 20 that it will select and support 10 global startups with innovative technologies and business ideas in battery materials, cells, packs, battery management systems (BMS), and smart factories through the “LGES Battery Challenge.” This event, marking its third occurrence this year, is a flagship “open innovation” program by LG Energy Solution, designed to identify and support startups domestically and internationally with distinctive technology and business models in the battery sector. A total of 117 startups from 23 countries worldwide applied for this event. After the application deadline in September last year, they were finally selected over a period of nine months through various evaluations including business plan verification and in-depth interviews. Startups from various countries including South Korea, the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom have been named in the final selection. The scale of the companies varies from several billion to several hundred billion won. This year, the support has significantly increased not only for battery manufacturing technology but also for AI and digital transformation-based technologies, Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS), power trading platforms, and other new business areas centered on batteries. The selected startups will be awarded a cash prize as well as an opportunity for comprehensive cooperation with LG Energy Solution. They will also receive funding for the validation of new business plans. LG Energy Solution plans to consider equity investments in these companies, which possess innovative ideas and high growth potential, and further strengthen its research and development capabilities through intellectual property sharing, including patents for next-generation battery technologies. Source: http://www.businesskorea.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=116854 

2023.06.23

[News Article] GM 부사장 “트랙스 CUV 인기 비결은 디자인… 한국서 제안”

GM 부사장 “트랙스 CUV 인기 비결은 디자인… 한국서 제안”  동아일보 한재희 기자 - “한국 디자인센터는 ‘한국만의 에너지’를 갖고 있습니다.” 20일 서울 강남구의 ‘더 하우스 오브 지엠’에서 열린 기자간담회에서 스튜어트 노리스 GM 해외사업부문 및 중국 디자인 부사장은 이렇게 말했다. 그는 “한국은 글로벌 트렌드를 이해해 설득력 있는 디자인을 만들어 내고, 시장에 대한 반응이 빠르다”며 “전동화 모델과 관련해서도 한국 디자인센터가 여러 프로젝트에 참여 중”이라고 전했다. 한국GM의 최신작 트랙스 크로스오버는 출시 첫 달인 4월 3072대, 5월 3396대를 판매하며 소형 스포츠유틸리티차량(SUV) 및 크로스오버(CUV) 부문 2위를 차지하는 등 인기몰이 중이다. 2000만 원대의 상대적으로 저렴한 가격도 장점이지만 세련된 디자인이 한몫했다는 평가도 많다. 한국GM 관계자도 “우리는 단순히 가격이 싸서 잘 팔리는 차로 보지 않는다”고 했다. 트랙스 크로스오버는 GM의 한국 디자인센터가 소비자 수요를 분석해 CUV 개발을 본사에 제안하면서 세상에 나오게 됐다. CUV는 SUV처럼 넓은 실내에다가 세단과 같이 안정감 있는 승차감이 느껴지도록 설계한 차종이다. 트랙스 크로스오버는 GM 쉐보레 브랜드의 첫 CUV 모델이다. GM이 추구하는 CUV의 정체성을 보여줘야 하는 제품이라는 얘기다. 노리스 부사장은 “고객의 라이프스타일에 따라 무엇이 필요한지 살펴본 결과 사람들은 좀 더 크고 실용성 있는 제품을 원한다는 것을 알게 됐다”고 말했다. 조상연 GM 한국디자인센터장(전무)은 “SUV처럼 운전자와 뒷좌석 사람하고 거리가 느껴지도록 넓게 디자인했다. 그러면서 운전석이 세단처럼 아주 낮지는 않지만 SUV처럼 너무 높지도 않다”고 했다. 트랙스 크로스오버는 2019년 차량 개발에 착수해 디자인이 이듬해에 나왔다. 하지만 신종 코로나바이러스 감염증(코로나19) 확산으로 오프라인에서 본사나 해외 디자인센터와 의견을 주고받을 방법이 사라졌다. 황보영 인테리어 디자인 담당(상무)은 “해외 출장이 어려우니 HMD(머리에 착용하는 디스플레이)를 쓰고 가상현실에서 서로 의견을 주고받았다”고 말했다. 출처: https://www.donga.com/news/Economy/article/all/20230623/119901626/1 

2023.06.23

[News Article] 퀄컴, 소니 차세대 스마트폰에 스냅드래곤 플랫폼 탑재

퀄컴, 소니 차세대 스마트폰에 스냅드래곤 플랫폼 탑재    IT 조선 박혜원 기자 - 퀄컴은 소니 차세대 스마트폰에 자사의 스냅드래곤 플랫폼을 탑재하는 등 협력을 확대한다고 23일 밝혔다. 양사는 차세대 프리미엄과 고급 및 중급 스마트폰 분야에서 협력을 이어갈 예정이다. 퀄컴과 소니는 이번 협업을 통해 스마트폰 산업 발전을 주도하기 위한 노력을 이어간다. 두 회사는 퀄컴의 최첨단 스냅드래곤 모바일 플랫폼을 소니의 차세대 스마트폰 시리즈에 통합하는 데 주력할 방침이다. 이를 통해 사용자들에 향상된 기능과 성능, 몰입도 높은 사용자 경험을 제공할 것으로 예상한다. 권오형 퀄컴 본사 수석 부사장 겸 아태지역 총괄 사장은 "퀄컴과 오랜 기간 함께해 온 소니와 소비자에게 차세대 프리미엄 모바일 기술을 제공할 수 있게 돼 기쁘다"며 "이번 협업은 퀄컴과 소니에게 있어 세계 소비자들에게 혁신적인 사용자 경험을 제공할 수 있는 흥미로운 기회가 될 것이다"라고 말했다. 하마구치 츠토무 소니 모바일 통신사업부 총괄은 "스냅드래곤 8 2세대 모바일 플랫폼을 탑재한 소니의 최신 플래그십 스마트폰 엑스페리아 1V는 고객들로부터 큰 호평을 받고 있다. 소니는 앞으로도 퀄컴과 지속적으로 협력하여 스냅드래곤 프로세서를 탑재한 차세대 스마트폰을 통해 강력하고 차별화된 경험을 제공하기 위해 노력할 것이다"라고 밝혔다. 이어 "소니는 고객들의 의견에 항상 귀 기울이며 고객들의 기대에 부응하기 위한 최첨단 기술 개발에 매진하고 있다. 퀄컴 또한 모바일 업계를 선도하는 소니의 노력에 지속적인 도움을 줄 것으로 기대한다"고 덧붙였다. 출처: https://it.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2023/06/23/2023062300896.html 

2023.06.23

[News Article] Hyundai Motor offers personalized mobility lifestyle for Japanese motorists

Hyundai Motor offers personalized mobility lifestyle for Japanese motorists   By Kim Hyun-bin, The Korea Times - Hyundai Motor signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with lifestyle content company Culture Convenience Club (CCC) in Tokyo, aiming to facilitate collaborative exploration of zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) lifestyle services and more effectively target motorists in the world's third-largest economy, the company said Thursday. CCC, known for its philosophy of being a "bookstore that sells lifestyle," operates content businesses using online and offline platforms, including Tsutaya stores. The partnership intends to present new lifestyles and customer experiences suitable for the sustainable mobility era, in line with current demands for economic, social and community sustainability. Starting Friday, Hyundai Motor will launch its MOCEAN vehicle-sharing service in Tokyo at T-SITE, operated by CCC. T-SITE is a lifestyle-oriented commercial facility centered on the Tsutaya bookstore. Customers visiting T-SITE will have access to Hyundai Motor's charging facilities and IONIQ 5 sharing service. Hyundai Motor plans to expand the MOCEAN service by utilizing CCC-operated spaces in the future. Furthermore, independent of this agreement, Hyundai has been providing the MOCEAN service in regions such as Yokohama and Okinawa starting this year. Additionally, Hyundai and CCC will collaborate on database marketing to propose a new lifestyle in line with the ZEV era. They will utilize vehicle data held by Hyundai, and customer data from CCC, to conduct personalized marketing and further drive new business initiatives based on data related to the ZEV lifestyle. Hyundai plans to establish an EV Experience Platform in collaboration with CCC to provide customers with a more enriching EV experience. The goal is to create an experiential platform that can be utilized in global markets beyond Japan, combining Hyundai's mobility capabilities with CCC's content. "We expect to create new possibilities through collaboration between mobility and content companies. By thoroughly analyzing customer preferences and planning new lifestyles together with CCC, Hyundai will spread the ZEV culture we pursue and build a differentiated brand image for Hyundai," Hyundai Motor CEO Chang Jae-hoon said. Source: https://koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2023/06/419_353468.html?utm_source=nans 

2023.06.23

[News Article] Jeep offers discounts over 18% until end of June

Jeep offers discounts over 18% until end of June    By Kim Jae-heun, The Korea Times - Jeep is providing a maximum 18.2 percent discount to customers who purchase its vehicles this month prior to the special consumption tax increase in July, the company said Thursday. As the government ends the longest-ever special vehicle consumption tax cut that had been introduced to boost domestic consumption, local consumers will soon have to pay 1.43 million won ($1,106.9) more when buying a new car as of next month. The carmaker has decided to provide a special discount in addition to the price reduction of all its vehicles, which was implemented in May. It will also support the quick delivery of its vehicles to customers once purchased. The company's flagship SUV, the Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve 3.6, will be sold for 89.9 million won after an additional 8.9 million won discount is applied. Jeep will also give a maximum 7 million won discount when selling its new Grand Cherokee Limited 3.6, resulting in a final price of 69.9 million won, and the carmaker will offer a 4.8 million won discount on its Grand Cherokee 4xe Limited for a total price of 89.6 million won. Launched last December, the new Grand Cherokee 4ex is a full model change. The fifth-generation iteration is leading the local SUV market, with its luxurious exterior design and tech-savvy interior options. "It is the first Jeep vehicle to adopt the connected service, JEEP Connect, and increases a driver's conveniences by supporting T-map navigation on a 10.1-inch touch screen," a Stellantis Korea official said. Stellantis is the operator of Jeep in Korea. Jeep's iconic Rubicon off-roader and Overland 4-door models can be purchased for around 60 million won. The Rubicon 4-door 2.0 can be purchased with a discount of 3.91 million won resulting in a 69.98 million won price tag while the Overland 4-door 2.0 is priced at 69 million won. Source: https://koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2023/06/129_353469.html 

2023.06.23