Korean Job Discussion Forums

mithridates · Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2005 4:37 am Post subject: Car pollution in Korea

I'm looking into this just now but I suspect that Korea has been doing a somewhat shoddy job on bringing in hybrids considering that as far as I know no Korean car company makes them. In Japan insurance rates for tiny cars are lower than for regular-sized ones and they get a totally different license plate than others. They can also park in stalls specially made for small cars that others don't fit into.
Looking for hybrid cars by Korean car makers now...

riverboy · Joined: 03 Jun 2003 Location: Incheon

Actually, the insurance and tax rates for LPG(propane) and cars like the Atoz and Matiz are much lower than for other cars.
I'm sure they could do a lot more, but I would say that Korean is still only emerging as a Car Superpower. I expect the World Cup to be a big boost with Hyundai Sponering them.

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

Have you ever noticed Koreans car makers to be cutting edge? They make conservative cars for conservative people.

The British TV car program, 'Top Gear' did a piece on Korean cars a few months ago and basically called them the worst cars in the world. Why?

They work well.
They're incredibly good value for money.

And...... they're the most boring cars on the planet.

Koreans in the UK swamped the BBC switchboards to complain about the show (it really was a scathing attack on Korean cars. It left Korean car makers without a shred of dignity).

My opinion is that the Korean car makers prefer to only make cars that most people will buy instead of catering to any 'kooky' niche market. To sum up their strategy...."we'll just stick to family sedans".

indytrucks · Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Location: The Shelf

Top Gear is an informative program, but Jeremy Clarkson is an absolute bellend.

Yeesh.

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

desultude · Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2005 5:33 am Post subject:

indytrucks · Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Location: The Shelf

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

Which part of the male anatomy has an end shaped like a bell?

I guess It'll get included in the swear filter soon.

I have a whole litany of British/Irish/Belfast swear words in reserve that the swear filter knows nothing about...... Laughing

indytrucks · Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Location: The Shelf

mithridates · Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2005 5:44 am Post subject:

I always wonder about the comparison between the health costs associated with pollution vs. how much it would cost to give incentives to everyone to buy a hybrid. Those numbers are extremely hard to come up with, but I still suspect that a substantial reduction in pollution would more than pay for it.

I'm out of my league when you start talking about Belfast swear words... Surprised

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

I've heard the Toyota Prius is a big success in California. I also heard it's because it has became 'fashionable' to buy a hybrid.

That's the kind of marketing you would have to do in Korea. And most countries for that matter. Don't focus the marketing on saving fuel and helping the environment but rather sell it as a fashion accessory.

edgellskiuk · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Location: Seoul

Top Gear also did a feature on the prius. They liked it in town but in a normal town and out of town journey it actually used more petrol than a small volkswagen.

I agree on the Clarkson issue.

mithridates · Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2005 6:32 am Post subject:

I've always said the same thing about environmentalism. Don't go around saying 'think about the ozone layer, the trees in the forest...' but rather say 'uh, our city stinks because we still use shit 50s technology for our cars and we're spending exorbitant amounts on health care for no reason because of it.'

canuckistan · Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2005 6:46 am Post subject: