Spectacular Motor Show
- Display of over 200 models some concept cars highlights event

The Seoul Motor Show 2005 closed its 11-day spectacular run at KINTEX north of Seoul May 8, unveiling 10 new domestic car models under the exhibition's theme "Endless Surprise in Our Motor Life."
The opening of the show kicked off with briefings by 38 auto companies from around the world, including the display of more than 200 vehicles and several dashing performances.
The biennial event is the only international auto show in Korea accredited by the Organization International des Constructeurs d'Automobiles.
This is the fifth Seoul Motor Show in its 10-year history, but the third time both domestic and foreign carmakers are participating. After 1997, the two groups held separate shows mainly because the importers were dissatisfied with the amount of exhibition space they were offered.
Hyundai Motor, Korea's largest car maker, put on display a new version of the popular Grandeur XG, code-named TG during the show. Kia Motors displayed the VQ, the successive new model of its Carnival while GM Daewoo Auto& Technology debuted its Statesman sedan.
Infiniti unveiled its M35 and FX45; Chevrolet's sports car, Corvette; Volkswagen's New Passat; Volvo's 8-cylinder SUV, XC90 V; Land Rover introduced Range Rover Sports; Peugeot put on show its 7-seat multi-purpose vehicle 807HDi; DaimlerChrysler Pacifica;and Ford new Mustang Convertible 500.
As the sale of diesel-fueled passenger cars is now allowed on the domestic car market, domestic car makers unveiled their diesel-powered cars, staging a fierce competition with their foreign rivals.
Hyundai Motor officials said its fourth generation Grandeur luxury sedan was in four years in development at the cost of 250 billion won.
"We are continuing to use the name since the Grandeur has represented Korea's large cars for the past 20 years after the model was launched first in 1986," they said.
They went on to say that they target to sell 57,000 luxury sedan this year and 120,000 next year.
Kia Motors unveiled the 11-passenger VQ minivan, a successor to the Carnival, among the 21 models it presented. Among the 22 models showcased at GM Daewoo Auyto&Technology's booths were the Australian-made Statesman large sedan, the T2X sport-utility coupe show car, the S3X SUV show car and the Lacetti World Touring Car Championship race car.
GM Daewoo also showed the Kalos three-door hatch-back and Lacetti station wagon to the Korean public for the first time.
Among the 20 concept cars which highlighted the motor show, five came from Ssangyong Motor.
Hyundai's new Grandeur code-named TG, BMW's "H2R", Nissan Infiniti FX45 were named cars that shined the Seoul Motor Show 2005.
The organizing committee of the show said about 200 journalists covering the show voted for the three cars as best ones at the show in terms of function and style. The three cars won the citations from the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy
Peugeot displayed its diverse diesel-fueled versions, including sedan 40HDi and crossover car 407SW in its diesel car section, while Volkswagen put on show the new Passat2.0 TDI for the first time in Asia. The German auto maker also brought to the show Touareg V6 3.0 TDI and Golf 2.0 TDI.
The latest concept cars and high-tech models on display included fuel cell and hybrid cars next-generation environment-friendly vehicles.
Sports car models including Lamborghini brands, Mercedes-Benz super sports car SLR McLaren and Honda's S2000 were introduced at the show.
In the meantime, 141 automotive parts makers participated in the show displaying their products some environment-friendly Rack & Pinion Electric Power Steering and simulator with pre-safe functions made by Mando. nw