Art of Flight [SLIDESHOW]

Theres something genuinely fascinating in seeing manmade aircraft ascend into the atmosphere, 400,000 pounds of metal and plastic propelled upwards by human innovation and ingenuity. The effect is both awe-inspiring and frightening Read and Discuss

Jun. 21, 2013 News

'World's Cheapest Car' Getting Pricier

The compressed natural gas-fuelled version of the Nano is expected to hit showrooms within the next 90 days....More

Jun. 21, 2013 News

Shipping Firms Warn of Haze Danger in Malacca Strait

The haze emanating from forest fires in Indonesia could lead to accidents in the busy Malacca and Singapore straits, risking a potentially devastating oil spill....

Jun. 20, 2013 News

EU Approves Delta-Virgin Atlantic Airline Deal

Delta and Virgin Atlantic announced the deal in December but it was subject to approval by EU regulators....More

Jun. 20, 2013 News

Tesla Recalls Model S Cars Over Problem Weld

The recall applies to versions of the four-door sedan, which cost up to $87,000, produced between May 10, 2013 and June 8, 2013....More

jun.19,2013

JAL Starts Compensation Talks with Boeing Over 787

The Japanese carrier was forced to cancel hundreds of flights since mid-January, when its entire 787 fleet was grounded due to battery-related problems....More

Jun. 18, 2013 News

Chrysler Agrees to Recall 2.7 Million Jeeps

Two weeks after rejecting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's recommendation for a recall, Chrysler said the two sides had 'resolved their differences' over the issue....More

Jun. 18, 2013 News

Embattled Shipping Operators Form Alliance

Three leading shipping companies announced an alliance on three crucial routes in a strategy to face over-capacity and declining demand for transportation....More

jun.18,2013 blog

How Do Your Transportation Metrics Compare?

With faster paced shipping options becoming more and more of the norm, weve seen transportations role in the supply chain gaining speed....More

Jun. 18, 2013 News

Gloom Returns to EU Car Industry

Sales in the EU in May were the worst for the month since 1993....More

Jun. 18, 2013 News

Boeing Launches New Dreamliner with More Than 100 Orders

Boeing launched a bigger version of its next-generation Dreamliner plane at the Paris Air Show Tuesday with a clear message -- after a run of technical blows, the U.S. firm is back on track...

Origins
History of the Korean automotive industry began in August 1955, when Choi Mu-seong, a Korean businessman, and two of his brothers (Choi Hae-seong and Choi Soon-seong), mounted a modified and localized jeep engine on a US military jeep style car body which made with the sheet metal from junk oil drum can and military junk Jeep parts to manufacture its first car, called the Sibal (car). Translates to new go or new start. In 1960, Sinjin [in English New beginning] Automobiles launched Sinjin Publica under a technical licensing agreement with Toyota. In order to develop the automobile industry, the Korean government announced the "Automobile Industry Promotion Policy" in 1962, and The Automobile Industry Protection Act to protect the infant industry. Foreign automakers were barred from operating in Korea, except in joint ventures with local business entities. The government's efforts led to companies that were established in other businesses entering the industry, and the formation of new startups. Three companies were established in 1962:

Kyeongseong Precision Industry, which changed its name to "Kia Industry", and started assembling cars in cooperation with Mazda in 1964; Ha Dong-hwan Automobile Industry Co. (the predecessor of SsangYong Motor Company); and Saenara Automobile, established with the technical cooperation of Nissan Motor Co.; it was the first automaker in Korea that was equipped with modern assembly facilities.

The Asia Motors Company was established in 1965, and the Hyundai Motor Company in 1968 with the technical cooperation of the Ford Motor Company. However, all these companies were then merely automotive assemblers, importing parts from overseas partners.

1970 to 1990
In 1970, Toyota began to show hesitation in continuing its relationship with Sinjin Automobiles. After Toyota's withdrawal in 1972, Shinjin entered into a joint venture with General Motors and formed General Motors Korea, which was renamed Saehan Motors in 1976. Kia opened its Sohari Plant in 1973 in Gwangmyeong, South Korea.

The Hyundai Pony, the first Korean-developed automobile, was built in 1975. Hyundai Motors accomplished this by engaging George Turnbull of British Leyland Motor Corporation as vicepresident. The final result was a collaborative effort, comprising:

design from Italdesign; transmission and engine from Mitsubishi; technology transfer (bodies) from Perkinson; car body molding from Ogihara Mold Company; machine press from France; and Funds from Barclays Bank and France Suez.

Hyundai chalked up another first when it exported the Pony to South America, in countries like Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador between 1976 to 1982, making it the first Korean-developed car to be exported. In 1982, the Daewoo Group gained control of Saehan Motors, and changed its name to Daewoo Motors in 1983. However, the Korean automobile industry suffered greatly from the 1979 energy crisis, and the consequent local recession. The government took action to resolve this difficult situation in 1982 by implementing the "Automobile Industry Rationalization Policy", the objective of which was to prevent excessive competition between the four major domestic automakers: Hyundai Motors, Kia Industry, General Motors Korea, and Asia Motors. Additionally, the government postponed its import liberalization of automobiles. Sinjin Automobiles changed its name to Geohwa Co. in 1981, and was taken over by Dong-A Motor Co. in 1985. In 1986, the company was renamed the SsangYong Motor Company. While localization of auto parts was the major concern during the 1970s, developing mass production system for the export-oriented industry became the issue during 1980s. Hyundai entered the United States market in 1986 with the Excel (as the Pony was known there), and set a record for selling the most automobiles in its first year of business in the United States compared with any other car brand 126,000 vehicles. Fortune magazine nominated the Excel for the "Best Product 10" award, largely because of its low price. However, the cars were of often low quality and broke down often. This led to Hyundai having a poor reputation in the United States. With this initial success in the export market, the company began in 1989 to produce models, designed in-house and manufactured with its own technology, starting with the Sonata, a medium-sized sedan. The Sonata, nevertheless, still featured many Mitsubishi designs and parts.

1990 to present
Hyundai's cumulative exports to the U.S. exceeded one million in 1990. In 1992 its ScoupeTurbo won at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb Rally, and in 1993 its Elantra was selected as the "Best Car of 1993" in Australia. Hyundai's Accent earned Canadian Best Buy Award in 1995, and its Avante also won the Asia-Pacific Rally that year. Yet, amidst all the successes, trouble was brewing for Hyundai.

The Excel, although initially well received, gave Hyundai a bad image, as over time its faults became apparent. Also, in efforts to bring the costs down, its quality and reliability suffered. As time caught up with the poor reputation of Hyundai in the United States, sales dropped drastically, and car dealerships started abandoning their franchises. Rather than drop out of the world's largest automotive market, Hyundai began investing heavily in the quality, design, manufacturing, and long-term research of its vehicles in 1998, and added a ten-year or 100,000 mile warranty to its vehicles in the United States. This effort paid dividends for Hyundai, and in 2004 the company tied with Honda for initial brand quality, second in the industry behind Toyota, in a survey conducted by J.D. Power and Associates. Towards the end of the 20th century, however, the industry began to face tremendous pressures at home, with the domestic market growing at under five percent, and greater competition, both locally and abroad. With energy waste, air pollution, and traffic congestion becoming more chronic, the Korean government has imposed the heaviest vehicle excise duty on automobiles and gasoline among the major automobile-producing countries. In 1985, the number of vehicles registered in Korea was one million, but by 1995 the total had increased to eight million. In response to these pressures, Korean automakers have become more aggressive in terms of pricing and quality, and begun developing larger cars, and broadening their product ranges to meet diverse customer preferences. Internal pressures at home have also forced Korean automobile manufacturers to venture aggressively into international markets. In the early 1990s, Daewoo Motors also began to expand heavily throughout the world. Until 1996, its cars were all based on General Motors' models. After the Asian financial crisis that started in 1997, it took over the troubled SUV specialist, SsangYong, in 1998, but ran into financial trouble in 1999. Asia Motors was completely merged with Kia Motors Company (the new name for Kia Industry, changed in 1990) in 1999. Kia Motors had financial trouble in 1997, and helped push South Korea into the Asian financial crisis. Kia was subsequently acquired by Hyundai Motors in 1998. Samsung's entry into the automobile industry was also ill-fated. Established in 1994, Samsung Motors started selling cars in 1998, just when South Korea was hit by the Asian financial crisis. Faced with financial difficulties, Samsung sold a seventy percent stake in the company to Renault in September 2000, and the company was renamed Renault Samsung Motors. The purchase of Daewoo Motors by General Motors Corporation in 2002, and Hyundai's completion of a one billion dollar assembly plant in Alabama in 2005, are two major developments that will further drive the Korean automobile industry to focus on North America, its largest export market. The move to the U.S. makes Hyundai the sixth Asian automaker to build a U.S. factory, the third foreign maker to pick Alabama, and the sixth automaker to locate in the Southeastern United States since 1990. Now opening in 2009 is another U.S. factory that will be a twin to the Alabama factory. It is located in West Point, Ga and will build KIA cars.

Timeline

1950s

1955: Choi Mu-seong, a Korean businessman and two of his brothers mounted an engine on a modified US Army Jeep body and chassis to manufacture the historic model, called "Sibal (car)"; o Sinjin Automobiles founded (precursor of Daewoo Motor); o Hyundai Civil Works Company founded by Chung Ju-yung; o Ha Dong-hwan Car Assembly Shop founded.

1960s

1960: Sinjin Automobiles launched Sinjin Publica under 1961: Government established "Industrial Standardization Act" and announced "Transportation Business Act and Road Traffic Act". 1962: Government established "5-Year Automobile Industry Plan", and announced the "Automobile Industry Protection Act"; o Saenara Automobiles founded, in technical cooperation with Nissan Motor Co.; o Ha Dong-hwan Automobile Industry Co. founded; o Kyeongseong Precision Industry changed its name to Kia Industry. 1963: Sinjin Crown, and Sinsungho launched. 1964: Government announced the "Automobile Industry Comprehensive Promotion Plan"; o Kia Industry produced Mazda models under licensing; o Kia T-600 Triple Truck launched. 1965: Government announced "3-Year Automobile Localization Plan", with a goal to achieve 90% local content by 1967; o Asia Motors Co. established; o Sinjin Automobiles took over Saenara Automobiles. 1966: Sinjin Corona, Sinjin Truck, and Sinjin Ace launched. 1967: Government announced the "Automobile Plant Permission Standards". 1968: Hyundai Motor Co. founded, and established licensing agreement with Ford Motor Company; o Hyundai Cortina, Hyundai Ford 20M, Hyundai Ford D-series, and Hyundai Ford DK-Series launched. 1969: Government announced "Basic Plan for Automobile Industry Promotion".

1970s

1970: Sinjin New Crown, Hyundai 0303 Benz bus, Kia Titan, and Kia Boxer launched; o Toyota showed hesitation in continuing with Sinjin Automobiles. 1972: Sinjin Automobiles joint-ventured with General Motors to form GM Korea, and launched Chevrolet 1700, based on Holden Torana model; o Kia Brisa (19741982) (K303) launched, based on Mazda Familia model; o Kia KB truck launched, based on Hino truck model; o Sinjin Automobiles launched Jeep under licensing from American Motors; o Daewoo BF101 truck, and Daewoo BV101 bus launched, based on Isuzu truck model. 1973: Kyeongbu Highway opened; o Hyundai New Cortina launched. o Kia opens the Sohari Plant in Gwangmyeong.

1974: Government set goal of half a million vehicles to be built annually, with the announcement of the "Automobile Industry Promotion Plan"; o Sinjin Automobiles joint-ventured with American Motors on 50-50 basis to form Sinjin Jeep Company; o GM Korea Rekord, based on Opel Rekord, launched. 1975: Government established "Systematization Promotion Act" for medium and small enterprises in automobile industry; o Hyundai Motor Co. established its own research institute, and produced Hyundai Pony, the first Korean-developed car, designed by ItalDesign and based on Mitsubishi technology; o GM Korea's Camina launched, based on Holden Torana. 1976: Hyundai Motor made Korean history by exporting the "Pony" to the Republic of Ecuador; o Kia Industry took over Asia Motors Co.; o GM Korea changed its name to Saehan Automobiles, and produced Saehan Gemini (based on Opel Kadett and Isuzu Gemini models), and Saehan Elf (based on Isuzu Elf); o Hyundai truck launched, based on a Mitsubishi Fuso model; Hyundai HD1000, and Hyundai Vison also launched. 1977: Ha Dong-hwan Automobiles changed its name to Dong-A-Motors. 1978: Hyundai Ford Cortina Mark IV, Hyundai Ford Cortina Mark V, and Hyundai Ford Granada launched; o Saehan Rekord and Saehan Royale Salon, both based on Opel Rekord, also launched. 1979: Shinjin Jeep Motor Co. changed its name to Shinjin Motor Company as the company became a domestic corporation; o Kia Bongo truck launched.

1980s

1980: Government announced integration of automobile industry. 1981: Sinjin Automobiles changed its company name to Geohwa Company. 1982: Hyundai Pony II and Hyundai FB buses, Kia Bongo van launched. 1983: Saehan Automobiles changed its name to Daewoo Motor, with partner General Motors; o Daewoo Royale series launched; o Hyundai Stellar launched; o Hyundai Motors established Hyundai Auto Canada Inc.; o Geohwa's Korando launched. 1984: Hyundai Pony-Excel, and Hyundai Presto launched; o Asia Combi launched. 1985: Ministry of Commerce and Industry postponed import liberalization of automobiles; o Dong-A Motor Co. took over Geohwa Co.; o Kia Besta launched; o Number of vehicles registered in South Korea exceeded one million. 1986: Government designated automobile industry for rationalization, based on the "Industry Development Act"; o Government revised the "Road Transportation & Vehicle Act, and other related regulations; o Dong-A Motor Co. took over Geohwa Co. and renamed it Ssangyong Motor Co.; o Hyundai Excel, and Hyundai Presto AMX Model, launched and exported to United States;

Hyundai Excel nominated by Fortune magazine for the "Best Product 10" award; Daewoo Le Mans, based on Opel Kadett, launched. 1987: Government cancelled "Automobile Industry Rationalization Plan"; o Government introduced import liberalization of commercial vehicles between 1,000 and 2,000 c.c.; o Transportation Ministry revised "Enforcement Decree of the Automobile Management Act"; o Kia Pride, Kia Concord, Asia Topic, and Kia Jumbo Titan launched; o Hyundai Truck (new model), Hyundai Grace, Hyundai Porter, and Hyundai Mighty launched, based on Mitsubishi Delica, Mitsubishi Canter, and Fuso model. 1988: Annual domestic automobile production volume exceeded one million units; o Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA) established; o Hyundai named "Official Car" in Seoul Olympic; o Hyundai Chorus and Hyundai Sonata (new model) launched; o SsangYong Korando family launched. 1989: Hyundai Motor completed construction of its plant in Bromont, Canada; o Hyundai Sonata launched, using in-house design, but still featuring Mitsubishi technology; o 3Gen from Hyundai Excel, Hyundai Porter 1.25 ton launced; o Kia Capital and Kia Wide-Bongo launched, along with Kia Motors's import model, Mercury Sable.

o o

1990s

1990: Hyundai's cumulative exports to the U.S. surpassed 1 million in 1990; o Kia Industry changed its name to Kia Motors Co.; o Hyundai Scoupe, and Hyundai Elantra launched. 1991: Hyundai Sonata (new model) launched; o Kia New Besta and Kia Towner launched; o Daewoo Prince, Daewoo Brougham, Daewoo Tico, Daewoo Damas, and Daewoo LeMans (new model) launched. 1992: Hyundai Scoupe (new model) launched; ScoupeTurbo won at the "Pikes Peak Hill Climb Rally"; o Kia Sephia, and Kia Potentia launched. 1993: Hyundai Elantra (new model launched), and was selected "Best Car of 1993" in Australia; o Kia named "Official Car" for Daejeon Expo. 1994: Samsung Motors founded. o The Kia brand launched in the United States 1995: Number of vehicles registered in South Korea exceeded eight million; o Hyundai's Accent earned "Canadian Best Buy Award", and also won the "Asia-Pacific" Rally; o First Seoul International Motor Show. 1997: Kia Motors went into financial trouble, and helped push South Korea into the Asian financial crisis. 1998: Hyundai began investing heavily in quality, design, manufacturing, and long-term research, and added a 10-year or 100,000 mile warranty to its vehicles in the United States; o Samsung Motors started selling cars; o 51% of Kia Motors acquired by Hyundai Motor;

o Daewoo Motors took over the troubled SUV specialist, SsangYong 1999: Asia Motors completely merged with Kia Motors Company.

2000s

2000: Samsung sold a 70% stake in Samsung Motors to Renault, and the company was renamed Renault Samsung Motors. o Daewoo Motors divests of SsangYong Motor Company 2002: Major assets of Daewoo Motors acquired by General Motors. The new company was named GM Daewoo. 2004: Hyundai tied with Honda for initial brand quality, second in the industry behind Toyota, in a survey conducted by J.D. Power and Associates. o Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) acquires 49% of SsangYong Motor Company. 2005: Hyundai completed construction of its $1 billion assembly plant in Montgomery, Alabama; o GM Daewoo vehicles were exported under various GM brands (and Suzuki), but mostly as Chevrolets 2011: GM Daewoo renamed itself to GM Korea, and in March, all GM Daewoo products are sold in South Korea as Chevrolets. 2011: After the renaming of GM Korea, the Daewoo Damas and Daewoo Lobo had become a new commercial brand. 2011: GM Korea developed a new Luxury brand called GM Alpheon.

Theres something genuinely fascinating in seeing manmade aircraft ascend into the atmosphere, 400,000 pounds of metal and plastic propelled upwards by human innovation and ingenuity. The effect is both awe-inspiring and frightening. The marvel of flight was enough to inspire artist Jeffrey Milstein to photograph airplanes from underneath. The series, Aircraft: The Jet as Art, freezes airplanes in mid-air as they soar overhead. As a typology of aircraft, these photographs open up conversations about the complexity and beauty of modern technology. They are an attempt to share my sense of wonder, Milstein writes. Watching a mammoth Boeing 747 gracefully gliding overhead on the way to touch down never ceases to amaze me, but they are also a meditation on how technology can be a double-edged sword when things go wrong. Jet Art Group takes flight as art to a completely new level. For the group, the jet is the paintbrush. The artist splashes paint into the force generated from a jet engine, which splatters the paint all over a canvas. The group recently partnered with Flexjet to celebrate the Learjets 50th anniversary. The blast from a Learjet aircraft engine creates the most amazing texture and structure, which simply cannot be achieved by a brush or a palette knife, said artist Princess Tarinan von Anhalt. Theres something genuinely fascinating in seeing manmade aircraft ascend into the atmosphere, 400,000 pounds of metal and plastic propelled upwards by human innovation and ingenuity. The effect is both awe-inspiring and frightening. The marvel of flight was enough to inspire artist Jeffrey Milstein to photograph airplanes from underneath. The series, Aircraft: The Jet as Art, freezes airplanes in mid-air as they soar overhead.

As a typology of aircraft, these photographs open up conversations about the complexity and beauty of modern technology. They are an attempt to share my sense of wonder, Milstein writes. Watching a mammoth Boeing 747 gracefully gliding overhead on the way to touch down never ceases to amaze me, but they are also a meditation on how technology can be a double-edged sword when things go wrong. Jet Art Group takes flight as art to a completely new level. For the group, the jet is the paintbrush. The artist splashes paint into the force generated from a jet engine, which splatters the paint all over a canvas. The group recently partnered with Flexjet to celebrate the Learjets 50th anniversary. The blast from a Learjet aircraft engine creates the most amazing texture and structure, which simply cannot be achieved by a brush or a palette knife, said artist Princess Tarinan von Anhalt. Theres something genuinely fascinating in seeing manmade aircraft ascend into the atmosphere, 400,000 pounds of metal and plastic propelled upwards by human innovation and ingenuity. The effect is both awe-inspiring and frightening. The marvel of flight was enough to inspire artist Jeffrey Milstein to photograph airplanes from underneath. The series, Aircraft: The Jet as Art, freezes airplanes in mid-air as they soar overhead. As a typology of aircraft, these photographs open up conversations about the complexity and beauty of modern technology. They are an attempt to share my sense of wonder, Milstein writes. Watching a mammoth Boeing 747 gracefully gliding overhead on the way to touch down never ceases to amaze me, but they are also a meditation on how technology can be a double-edged sword when things go wrong. Jet Art Group takes flight as art to a completely new level. For the group, the jet is the paintbrush. The artist splashes paint into the force generated from a jet engine, which splatters the paint all over a canvas. The group recently partnered with Flexjet to celebrate the Learjets 50th anniversary. The blast from a Learjet aircraft engine creates the most amazing texture and structure, which simply cannot be achieved by a brush or a palette knife, said artist Princess Tarin an von Anhalt.

we trust transportation is very important for us