Busan is good

Futuristic Cars to Hit Busan Fair

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The Busan International Motor Show (BIMOS) 2006 will kick off on April 30 in Korea's southern port city of Busan, featuring state-of-the-art technologies and concept cars of global automakers.

Organizers said about 200 companies from 20 countries, including auto parts manufacturers and tire makers, have set up booths to showcase trends in their respective industries, and to promote their latest products during the 10-day run motor show.

As foreign carmakers, such as Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Jaguar, see their market shares continue to increase in Korea, the third Busan Motor Show is drawing keen attention among motorists.

Major foreign automakers here have already made public what models they will display in Busan while Korea's two major carmakers _ Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors _ have not announced their display plans in the wake of prosecutors' raid of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group.

Volvo Car Korea said Friday that it will unveil a new fashionable hard-top convertible _ All-New C70 _ and display a variety of sedans and leisure cars during the motor show to be held at the BEXCO located around Haeundae Beach, Busan.

The Korean unit of Volvo plans to give spectators car-related gifts as part of its marketing and promotion.

Foreign automakers are also poised to unveil environmentally friendly hydrogen cars and fuel cells.

Aside from foreign companies' local corporations, foreign-controlled carmakers _ GM Daewoo Auto & Technology, Ssangyong Motor and Renault Samsung Motors _ will also show key products designed to challenge Hyundai and Kia, which control a combined 70 percent of the Korean market.

In a statement, Busan City Mayor Hur Nam-sik said, ``Participants will be given the opportunity to look around the emerging auto industry zone that encompasses the southeastern part of Korea.''

Representatives of Korean car manufacturers and foreign automakers operating in Republic of Korea​ predict that more than $100 million worth of contracts will be made during the motor show in the nation's second-largest city.

The Seoul Motor Show 2005 was held for 11 days a year ago.

The source of news : The Korea Times  03-31-2006 18:44