Truck and Bus Recalls, ‘Mechanical Defects’ Account for 94%

The number of commercial vehicles recalled in Korea during the first quarter of this year has surpassed 60,000 units. A total of 66,522 vehicles were recalled, including 2,927 medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (trucks of 2.5 tons or more and buses with 25 seats or more) and 63,595 small vehicles (1-ton trucks and small buses with fewer than 25 seats).   Read more, Click here

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Reduced Dependence on Chinese Imports, but Preparation for a ‘Third Crisis’ Is Needed

As of 2026, Korea’s urea import structure has clearly changed compared with five years ago when the urea crisis occurred. Unlike at that time, when the share of Chinese imports was close to 90%, the proportion of Chinese urea imports fell to 62.4% last year, while efforts to diversify imported urea supplies from countries such as Vietnam (26.6%), Japan (5.8%), and Qatar (3.0%) have continued.   Read more, Click here

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Kia Granbird Discontinuation Confirmed… Bus Industry Says “Extend Vehicle Lifespan”

First launched in 1994, the Granbird has maintained annual sales of around 1,500 to 2,000 units. The second-generation Granbird, introduced after the merger with Hyundai Motor in 1999, secured demand from the charter and express bus industries. However, the model is reportedly facing declining profitability due to low production efficiency, with daily output limited to just five units, as well as the impact of cybersecurity and emissions regulations. As a result, production will end after fulfilling the remaining contracted orders.   Read more, Click here

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“Right-Turn Blind Spots Must Now Be Addressed Through Technology”

Pedestrian fatalities caused by right turns made by large trucks and buses continue to occur. In particular, cases have repeatedly occurred in which vulnerable road users, such as children and the elderly, are struck by the rear of vehicles while crossing crosswalks or are not detected by drivers due to being hidden in the blind spots of large vehicles, leading to accidents. As a result, social awareness of the issue is growing. Read more, Click here

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27 Years of Dedication to Environmental Special-Purpose Vehicles… Designing the Future of the In..

It is difficult to discuss the history of Korea’s environmental and cleaning special-purpose vehicle industry without mentioning Yoon Hong-sik, CEO of AM Special Vehicle. Over the past 27 years, he has focused on the environmental special-purpose vehicle sector, including household waste collection vehicles, compactor garbage trucks, food waste collection vehicles, and recycling collection vehicles, growing alongside the development of Korea’s environmental industry as a leading professional executive. Read more, Click here

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Chinese Tires Surpass 70% Share in Imported TBR Tire Market

In the first quarter of this year (January–March), the Korean market for Korean-made truck and bus (TBR) tires showed mixed trends, with demand generally weakening while exports rebounded. According to the Korea Tire Manufacturers Association (KOTMA), sales of original equipment (OE) tires fell 53.5% year-on-year during the first quarter, dropping to less than half of the previous year’s level, while replacement (RE) tire sales also declined slightly. In contrast, exports increased by 8.1%, showing signs of recovery from the downturn that had continued since 2024. In the import market, volumes rose 10.1% compared with the same period last year, while the market share of Chinese-made tires slightly increased from 66.7% to 70.2%. Read more, Click here

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‘Like a Room’… The Tractor Market Is Now Dominated by High-Cab Models

Looking at large tractor units lined up in major logistics complexes or port parking lots during the early morning hours, it is easy to see that newer vehicles are overwhelmingly made up of high-cab models with higher overall heights. The overwhelming share of high-cab models, which can be confirmed visually, demonstrates that interior space has become one of the most important indicators for truck owners when selecting a vehicle, due to the characteristics of tractor operations, where long-distance transportation accounts for a high proportion and drivers frequently rest inside the vehicle while waiting for loading and unloading. In the tractor market, high-cab models are no longer just an optional choice but are becoming established as the default. Read more, Click here

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Raising the Threshold for Electric Commercial Vehicle Subsidies, Chinese Brands Nearly Wiped Out

Chinese brands have significantly decreased among the electric commercial vehicles eligible for national government subsidies in the second half of this year. Under the “Evaluation for Selecting Participants in the Electric Vehicle Supply Program,” introduced for the first time this year by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, manufacturers and importers that failed to meet the criteria have been excluded from subsidy eligibility since July 1. Most of them were Chinese brands.   Read more, Click here

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Kia PV5 Captures 92% of the PBV Market, Far Outpacing Hyundai ST1

Kia's PV5 has significantly outsold Hyundai Motor's ST1 in South Korea's purpose built vehicle market. Competitive pricing that reduces the initial purchase burden, combined with strong driving efficiency, has helped the PV5 demonstrate strong competitiveness in the PBV market.

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Middle East-Driven Raw Material Price Shock Hits the Specialty Vehicle Industry

As prices of key raw materials, including steel and aluminum, have surged amid disruptions to the global supply chain caused by the prolonged conflict in the Middle East, the specialty vehicle industry, which uses these materials in large volumes, is also feeling the impact. With their large vehicle bodies and greater dependence on raw materials than passenger cars, specialty vehicles are directly exposed to fluctuations in material prices. However, industry officials say there is "no immediate solution" to the problem.

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