Korean car brands: an overview

It's no secret for any car enthusiast that Korean industry is one of the leading in the world. In the list of the best companies this state takes the fifth place for several years, behind China, America, Japan and Germany. Surprisingly, unlike other countries in Korea, there are very few car companies. But even so, here you can find hatchbacks, crossovers and sedans for every taste. Korean car brands, the list of which below, are distributed around the world:

• Hyundai;
• KIA;
• SsangYoung;
• Daewoo;
• Renault-Samsung Motors.

Historical facts of the Korean car industry

After the Second World War, the economy of South Korea collapsed. Only in twenty years the government of the state made an accent not on the production of products of social significance, but on the creation of automobile corporations.

At first Korean car brands gathered in scanty garages, which were only a couple of pieces, from spare parts of American equipment that had become unusable.

The leader of the automotive industry is Hyundai Motor Company. Initially, this company was the property of the concern Ford. Here models of trucks and cars were manufactured under the American brand. When it was necessary to decide on the minimum use of foreign parts, the Korean government ceased cooperation with Ford.

Some Korean brands of cars, whose badges carry hidden symbols, have gone through a difficult path. An example can be KIA Motors. For a long time since the company was formed, it was under somebody's financial wing (Mazda, Fiat, Peugeot). After some time after separation from extraneous corporations, a merger with Hyundai takes place. This allows the creators to equip the machine with new technologies. Since 2000 and to this day among safety cars KIA takes a leading position.

Because of the strong tension in the financial and economic sphere of South Korea, a large and world-famous company Daewoo crashes. It exists so far due to the fact that there is a small branch in the concern of General Motors.

Korean brand cars SsangYoung Motor Company for a long time produced cars for the army, but today specializes in buses and special equipment. Issue of passenger options was made only in the 80's. Because of the crisis, about 70% of the company's rights now belong to Mahindra.

Korean brands of cars, although they were known throughout the world, but suffered a fall due to the difficult economic environment. Only Hyundai could not only avoid strong "strikes", but also gain a foothold in the automotive market.

Hyundai car make and its logo

The undisputed leader of the automotive industry of South Korea is Hyundai. Annual production reaches 2 million models. Until 2011, the world ranked 4th, now is on the fifth.

The logo placed on the hood was not invented accidentally and has a profound symbolic meaning. This is not only the first letter of the company name. The sign represents two people holding hands, which fully corresponds to the motto of the company about strong friendship and proper partnership.

Korean car brands - Kia and Daewoo

KIA got the seventh position in the world and the second place in South Korea. The assortment given to buyers, is rather interesting, after all includes absolutely all classes of modern cars. The logo was made for easy recognition and memorization. The oval, in which the word KIA is enclosed, personifies the whole world, which symbolizes the distribution of products on the territory of all countries of the Earth.

Daewoo-Motors is a company that has replaced more than one owner. In its country of production, it ranks third. It is in the possession of General Motors. Cars Daewoo are produced under such famous brands as Chevrolet, Opel, Buick, etc.

The company does not have the exact meaning of the emblem. It is interpreted in different ways: one version shows a lotus on the icon, the other on the sea shell. The name translated verbatim "The Great Universe", well suited to both the first version, and to the second.

Korean car brands SsangYong and Renault-Samsung Motors

SsangYong Motor Company is a South Korean company, occupying the 4th place in the country in production. It produces SUVs and crossovers. The cars are assembled in such countries as Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine.

The meaning of the icon is translated as "Two Dragons", which symbolizes good luck. Representatives of the company talked about the ancient legend of the two dragons and the Heavenly Garden, in honor of which the logo appeared.

Renault-Samsung Motors in fact ceased to exist. It was founded in 1994 as a result of close cooperation between the Samsung Group and Nissan. Because of a strong crisis, the first representative leaves the project. It's a tough time for Renault. The situation is stabilized after in 2000 it was included in the list of subsidiaries of the French concern Renault Group. The Korean brand practically does not go beyond its homeland and is more known there. However, some models are still produced for the foreign market, but under the brands Nissan and Renault.