Korean Patriotism

I live in Malaysia and we have our own car brand and manufacturing sites. This year is the 30th anniversary but unlike many other car brands, its products are still not up to expectation. Often countries with their own national car brand would increase taxes on imported cars to protect its national brand which causes a huge difference in price. Thus, its citizen are mainly forced to purchase its national car especially for the low and middle class people. In Malaysia, its citizens purchase with a hatred and hope to survive and be financially able to upgrade and its founder, chairman and former Prime Minister often call its citizen as ungrateful and unappreciative of the national carmaker. He would make an example of the Korean brand Hyundai which flourish very well until achieving good international sales and credits this success to its supportive citizens. We have always thought that the Koreans are really supportive and that is why 97% of the cars on the road are Korean brand such as Hyundai, Kia, Daewoo and Samsung.

However, after talking with some Koreans and visiting Korea on 2 different trips, I realize that patriotism is not the reason. What is happening in Malaysia is also the case in Korea. Koreans have no choice but to buy Korean brands when other choices are too expensive because of high taxes to even consider. I was told by a Korean acquaintance that she hated Korean cars and if she could afford it, she would never buy a Korean car. I guess that is very true because in recent years, I started to notice imports, mainly European begin to fill up the streets of Seoul. It used to be only for the rich but it is either people are getting richer or its getting cheaper to purchase an import. Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen seems to be the popular choice but of course Mercedes Benz and BMW have their own market share. It really is a different sight to behold. So, no more stereotyping and I definitely hope that my national carmaker's chairman would stop using Korea's car history and situation as an example and give me cheaper cars. Please, I beg of you !!!

Korean Trend

During the first week of September, I was once again in the land of Kimchi. The only car that remains on my to see list is still the Hyundai Genesis Coupe because it is the only proper sports car, not bad looking and most importantly, not available in Malaysia. I did managed to spot a few and one with aftermarket bumper and Brembo brakes in the front. I liked the 2.0 Turbo variant but it seems that they cancelled it just last year and now only the 3.8 V6 variant is available now.

While I was in Seoul, I noticed that there is an increase of hybrid cars roaming the streets, especially the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. I have known that they do have hybrid models and Hyundai was developing Hydrogen technology with their Hyundai Tucson but I did not expect the awareness has increased to this extent. I thought it would be like in Malaysia, where sales would not be high.

Another trend would be the diesel trend that is hot in Europe. I felt the rising of this trend because of all the Volkswagen Golf that I saw while I was traveling was the GTD variant. For those who are not familiar with the GTD or you are situated in a country where it is not available, it is the Golf's diesel variant's fastest model. Much like a GTi but with a diesel engine. On the exterior it looks the same everywhere with the GTi except the exhaust tip where the GTi have 2 exhaust but GTD has a single twin tip design and different rim designs (I prefer the GTD ones). Both spots a turbocharged engine but the GTD has 36 hp lesser than its cousin but has an extra 30 Nm of torque (depending on market). I would have thought the GTi would be more popular due to its power and driving feel but many GTDs were roaming the streets of Seoul.

GTi (Left) vs GTD (Right)

GTD (Left) vs GTi (Right)