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Trump wants a trade deal, but South Korea doesn't want US cars

SEOUL - US auto imports from the likes of General Motors and Ford must become more chic, affordable or fuel-efficient to reap the rewards of President Donald Trump's attempts to renegotiate a trade deal with key ally South Korea, officials and industry experts in Seoul say. Meeting South Korean President Moon Jae-in last week in Washington, Trump said the United States would do more to address trade imbalances with South Korea and create "a fair shake" to sell more cars there, the world's 11th largest auto market. "What we really want to say to the United States is: Make good cars, make cars that Korean consumers like." While imports from automakers including Ford, Chrysler and GM more than doubled last year largely thanks to free trade deal which took effect in 2012, sales account for just 1 percent of a market dominated by more affordable models from local giants Hyundai and affiliate Kia. Imports make up just 15 percent of the overall Korean auto market, and are mainly more luxurious models from German automakers BMW and Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz, which also benefit from a trade deal with the European Union. "Addressing non-tariff barriers would not fundamentally raise the competitiveness of US cars," a senior Korean government official told Reuters, declining to be identified because of the sensitivity of the subject. "What we really want to say to the United States is: Make good cars, make cars that Korean consumers like." TASTE BARRIER In Korea, US imports are seen as lagging German brands in brand image, sophistication and fuel economy, industry experts say. US imports do have a competitive advantage in electric cars: Tesla Motors' electric vehicles are seen as both environmentally friendly and trendy, while GM has launched a long-range Bolt EV. US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross had cited a quota in the current trade deal as an obstacle to boosting imports. The quota allows US automakers to bring in each year 25,000 vehicles that meet US, not necessarily Korean, safety standards. Should GM, for example, decide to bring in more than its quota of one model - the Impala sedans - it would cost up to $75 million to modify the cars to meet Korean safety standards, the company told its local labor union. Asked about non-tariff barriers, a spokesman at GM's Korean unit said removing them could expand the range of models the company can bring in from the United States. No US company, however, has yet to make full use of the quota, industry data shows.

Audi, Jag, Kia and Tesla top Strategic Vision 2014 Total Quality Index

A couple weeks ago, J.D. Power released its latest Initial Quality Study, which gave high marks to Porsche, Hyundai and General Motors, with the latter earning more individual IQS awards than any other manufacturer. Now, it's Strategic Vision's turn, and it's doling out its praise not to Porsche, but to Tesla, which wasn't even included in the JD Power IQS.
The Model S was named the best vehicle overall in total quality, while Porsche's corporate brother and endurance-racing rival, Audi, was named the best premium brand, alongside Jaguar. Strategic Vision cited the Q5 and the ancient Q7 for individual segment awards, as well as the A5, which was a mere point off the top of its segment. SV also handed out compliments for the Audi's interior work. The win for the German brand is a nice improvement over its IQS score, with which it landed above the industry average, but solidly mid-pack.
Jaguar was without a segment winner, although SV did say that the Indian-owned English brand had a number of vehicles very near the top of their segments. This is the second significant win for Jag in two weeks, after it finished second overall on the JD Power IQS a few weeks ago.

Kia recalls 12k 2016 Sorento models for faulty accelerator pedal

Kia is recalling 12,361 examples of the 2016 Sorento in the US because the accelerator pedal may stop working correctly. All of the affected vehicles were made between October 27, 2014, and January 29, 2015. According to the recall documents submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, a capacitor on the circuit board for the accelerator assembly may be improperly soldered. This can trigger a fault, causing the 2016 Sorento enters Limp Home Mode or in some other cases go into Forced Idle Mode, which only allows idling speed. In either situation, the check engine or electronic stability control lights would likely illuminate, according to Kia. Still, if this fault occurs, the lack of acceleration can put drivers in danger. To repair things, Kia will replace the entire accelerator pedal assembly with an improved unit. Changing out the parts will take about an hour, and obviously this will be done at no cost to owners. According to the NHTSA documents, there have been no accidents or injuries as a result of this problem. You can also read Kia's FAQ to owners and the full report on the recall in PDF format, as well. Related Video: RECALL Subject : Vehicle may not be able to Accelerate Report Receipt Date: FEB 13, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V089000 Component(s): VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Potential Number of Units Affected: 12,361 All Products Associated with this Recall Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s) KIA SORENTO 2016 Details Manufacturer: Kia Motors America SUMMARY: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to January 29, 2015. Due to an improperly soldered component in the accelerator pedal assembly, the driver may not be able to accelerate the vehicle. CONSEQUENCE: If the vehicle is unable to be accelerated, there is an increased risk of a crash. REMEDY: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the accelerator assembly, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in February 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC115. NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.