Stellantis to boost Korean dealer network for Jeep, Peugeot brands
Stellantis is set to strengthen its engagement with customers throughout Korea by expanding its network across the country, addressing the challenges faced by Korean consumers in accessing imported cars.
'2025 will be a year for Stellantis to strengthen its connection with customers,' said Bang Sil, managing director of Stellantis Korea, on Tuesday during the company's first press conference of 2025. 'Building on the efforts (we made last year), Stellantis Korea will dedicate all resources to enhancing the customer experience with our brand in every aspect.'
The company is on track to transform its showrooms and service centers here to support both of its key brands, Peugeot and Jeep, expanding customer touchpoints through shared locations for them.
By the end of 2025, at least 11 showrooms and 14 service centers in major cities will manage both brands, covering 65 percent of Stellantis' customer network in Korea.
Referred to as Stellantis Brand House, the initiative aims to provide unified service across Stellantis brands and create spaces where customers can experience the brands in diverse ways, the company said.
Addressing another major concern for imported car drivers, Stellantis announced it will continue its efforts to reduce customer inconvenience in after-service.
'Peugeot was recognized as the brand that made the most active efforts to explain issues with its products, inform customers of estimated service charges in advance, and achieve the fewest errors in repair results in 2024,' said Bang.
In addition to hiring more technicians and introducing various repair promotion events, Stellantis will increase the supply of aftermarket parts through its service brands, Eurorepar and Bproauto, which handle parts for Peugeot and Jeep, respectively.
The aftermarket parts, which are not made by the original equipment manufacturer, will be offered at prices 30 percent lower than OEM parts, with guaranteed quality and a two-year warranty, according to Bang.
Stellantis Korea expects these efforts will help it increase its sales by 25-30 percent this year.
This year, the company also plans to introduce two new models from Jeep -- the New Grand Cherokee, a sports utility vehicle, and the New Gladiator, a pickup truck.
Additionally, the company will roll out three existing Peugeot models in new mild hybrid electric vehicle versions -- the Peugeot 308 hatchback, the Peugeot 408 fastback crossover and the updated New Peugeot 3008 SUV.
'Our new MHEV lineup from Peugeot, artistic yet audacious marketing, and Jeep's strong new models will be blended to offer a well-rounded and enhanced brand experience, highlighting the customer's connection to our differentiated value,' said Bang.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
an hour ago
- Korea Herald
FKI bolsters US outreach for tariff talks
Since 2016, Korean firms have invested over $160 billion in US, supporting more than 830,000 American jobs The Federation of Korean Industries, the country's leading business lobby, stepped up its public diplomacy efforts in the US, highlighting Korean firms' substantial contribution to the US economy as Washington and Seoul prepare for a new round of negotiations over reciprocal tariffs. The FKI launched its latest outreach campaign at the 2025 Congressional Baseball Game in Washington on Wednesday, a century-old bipartisan charity event that drew 69 members of Congress, many from states that have attracted major Korean investment. As an official sponsor, the FKI aired a 15-second promotional video on the stadium's jumbotron, displayed banners, and distributed flyers and rally towels to showcase the contributions of Korean conglomerates to the US economy. The campaign stressed that since the start of the Trump administration in 2016, Korean companies have invested over $160 billion in the US, supporting more than 830,000 American jobs. Flyers distributed at the event noted that trade in goods between the two countries rose by 81 percent from 2011 to 2023 and that Korean companies offer the highest average annual salary — $106,000 — for American workers among Asian investors. FKI Chairman Ryu Jin, who also leads Poongsan Group, attended the event's reception, where he met with senators and House members from both parties. He emphasized Korea's leadership in strategic sectors such as shipbuilding and energy, and reaffirmed the country's status as an economic and security partner. 'Given the likely resumption of tariff talks under Korea's new government, we're stepping up efforts to build goodwill and remind lawmakers how crucial this partnership is,' said Kim Bong-man, head of the international affairs department at the FKI. Among the lawmakers attending the baseball game were members from investment-heavy states, including Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Indiana and Michigan. Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa and Democratic Representative Sharice Davids of Kansas were among the big-wig attendees. The campaign comes at a politically sensitive moment. In April, US President Donald Trump announced plans to impose reciprocal tariffs by country, with implementation initially set for April 9. The US administration postponed the move for 90 days to allow trade negotiations, creating a looming deadline of July 8. While Trump has indicated flexibility in extending the deadline on Wednesday, it remains unclear whether Korea, under newly inaugurated President Lee Jae-myung, can secure more time. Trade officials in Seoul are closely monitoring developments as talks intensify. A third round of technical consultations and a ministerial-level review are expected this month. Yeo Han-koo, newly appointed as Korea's Trade Minister and a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, is preparing to meet with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. This marks the first major US initiative by the FKI under Korea's new administration. The group also plans additional media and digital campaigns across the US and will co-host the 35th General Assembly of the US-Korea Business Council later this year in Korea, a tradition it has shared with the US Chamber of Commerce since 1988.
Korea Herald
an hour ago
- Korea Herald
Delta resumes Korea flights with new Incheon-Salt Lake City route
Delta Air Lines officially launched a new direct route between Incheon International Airport and US' Salt Lake City International Airport on Thursday, marking its return to the Korean market after a six-year hiatus, just ahead of the peak summer travel season. The airline also expressed its intention to further strengthen its partnership with Korean Air, its joint venture partner since 2018. 'This year marks Delta's 100th anniversary, and introducing a new route to Korea during this milestone makes the occasion even more special,' said Jeff Moomaw, vice president of Asia Pacific for Delta Air Lines, at a press conference held in central Seoul on Thursday. 'Whether traveling for business or leisure, we've worked diligently to offer a flight experience that meets the expectations of Korean passengers. From Salt Lake City, travelers can conveniently connect to 35 destinations across the US, with a 55-minute international-to-domestic transfer time on par with that of Incheon Airport.' Through its joint venture with Korean Air, Delta now connects Seoul to 14 US destinations. The expansion further solidifies Delta's position as the largest long-haul foreign carrier operating at Incheon Airport. 'Our partnership with Korean Air has grown significantly over the past eight years, and we now consider ourselves the leading joint venture across the Pacific,' said Moomaw. 'Together, we've made joint investments in digital solutions and customer experience improvements to deliver top-tier service.' For example, travelers can use either the Korean Air app or the Fly Delta app to book and check in for flights operated by both airlines, the vice president explained. Regarding the recent controversy over a potential management dispute triggered by Hoban Group's acquisition of shares in Hanjin KAL, the parent company of Korean Air, Delta Air Lines downplayed concerns, stating it views the move as 'pure investment.' 'I have good trust in Walter Cho (Korean Air Chairman). We view Hoban Construction's recent increase in its stake in Hanjin KAL as a simple investment,' said Moomaw, adding that making such investments is a very natural business activity. As of last month, Hoban Construction had acquired an 18.46 percent stake in Hanjin KAL, becoming its second-largest shareholder. While Hoban has stated the purchase was for investment purposes only, the market has speculated about a possible management rights dispute with Hanjin Group. In response, Hanjin Group transferred treasury shares of Hanjin KAL to its employee welfare fund, increasing Cho's stake to 20.79 percent, widening the gap with Hoban to 2.3 percentage points. Delta Air Lines currently holds a 14.9 percent stake in Hanjin KAL. Meanwhile, Moomaw expressed strong support of the recent Korean Air-Asiana Airlines merger. 'We are very excited about the acquisition, since our priority remains aligning the right flights with the right markets to provide the best possible service to our passengers. We are confident that our close relationship with Korean Air will help us advance that goal even further," he added.
Korea Herald
2 hours ago
- Korea Herald
KT, Palantir bolster ties to deliver AI solutions across sectors
Korean telecommunications giant KT said Thursday it will expand its strategic collaboration with global AI platform Palantir Technologies, sharing technical and marketing capabilities to accelerate AI transformation across industries. Palantir Chief Revenue Officer Ryan Taylor visited KT's headquarters in Seoul to discuss concrete implementation strategies with executives from both companies, as part of ongoing efforts to deepen their partnership signed in March. "This partnership enables us to bring Palantir's AI solutions to Korea and help businesses unlock the full potential of their data," Taylor said. Ahn Chang-yong, executive vice president of KT's Enterprise Group, added, "The collaboration will strengthen KT's AX strategy and help us deliver real, measurable innovation to our clients." In March, the two companies agreed to share technical expertise through AI and data platform training, as well as develop joint marketing strategies tailored to specific industries. KT is currently conducting a proof-of-concept project with Palantir, applying its solutions to internal processes to assess the impact of AI on large-scale telecommunications data. The companies also offer specialized training and certifications for Palantir's technology. The two firms have agreed to operate as exclusive partners in the financial sector, targeting banks and insurance companies, while also pursuing joint sales and marketing efforts in other industries. They plan to host industry-specific AX seminars and provide customized strategies for clients. KT said it aims to strengthen its AI transformation through the partnership and, based on enhanced capabilities, offer Palantir's AI-driven data solutions to Korean clients seeking data-based decision-making support.
