The Ministry has an active interest in the Seoul Motor Show, although it does not hold any direct influence or responsibility for the Show. The Minister expects the show to be an opportunity to stimulate the depressed domestic market. Minister Lee spoke in more detail about this in a recent interview.
Q.The Seoul Motor Show is held every two years, and this is the seventh show since 1995. It is the only international motor show authorized by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeus d'Automobiles (OICA) in Korea. What influence on the domestic auto industry do you expect from this motor show
A.The Seoul Motor Show has contributed to developing the domestic car industry by informing the international market of trends, indicating the direction of future cars, exhibiting various cars to compare, and introducing Korean cars to foreign buyers - of course it has helped exports. This seventh motor show is expected to make 820 billion won [US$582.2 million] in economic effects. Because 9 countries and 157 companies will attend it, it is also predicted to attract ten thousand foreign buyers and create export deals on the scale of over US$1.2 billion.
In addition, I expect this show to stimulate the depressed domestic car market by encouraging interest in cars.
Q.The theme of the 2009 Seoul Motor Show is “Beautiful Technology, Wonderful Design.” What must Korea do in the design and technology areas
A.Korea's auto technology has already reached a high level, matched with our position as one of the top five countries in the car industry. But Korea has not tried to develop environmentally- friendly or human-friendly technologies and designs. Our effort is insufficient to entertain customers by incorporating those technologies and cars when you compare Korean companies to leading foreign companies. Therefore, from now on our goals are convergence, converging technologies into designs, the environment, and humanity. I hope this will be a good chance to show Korean cars' potential - Beautiful Technology, Wonderful Design.
Q.Low carbon and green growth is an international trend recently, so many environmentally-friendly cars are shown in this motor show. What policies has the government promoted to support the car industry and helped companies to become more technologically competitive And what is your plan
A.The global economic crisis hit both the financial and real economies, this situation made the international auto industry reorganize. After the reorganization, we predict that the green car market will be getting bigger rapidly, so we should strengthen our competitiveness in the green car field. The government is promoting policies to provide tax incentives, investments in R&D for core spare parts and basic technologies. It is all for raising the green car sector as a new growth engine. However, the green car sector needs cooperation between the government and the companies, so companies should develop technologies and do a comparative study.
Q.What does the Seoul Motor Show need to become a world-class motor show
A.The Seoul Motor Show has a short history compared to Detroit, Frankfurt, and Paris Motor Shows, which have over one hundred year long histories; and Tokyo Motor Show, which has a 50 year long history. In addition, its rivals - Beijing and Shanghai Motor Shows - have more participants, audience, and bigger markets; it is in a disadvantageous position. However, I think that the Seoul Motor Show needs to be in the top five shows as Korea is already a top five car producer. So, the government selected the show as a promising exhibition, has supported it preferentially, and is going to aid it to widen the exhibition space, secure transportation and hotels, and provide tour programs.
Q.The global auto industry is suffering from the recession. What should Korean government and car companies do to overcome this crisis and become an advanced country in the automobile field
A.The global economic crisis gives a heavy blow to the auto industry, because cars are expensive and luxurious goods. However, as people say, crisis can become opportunity. Korean companies should keep this phrase in their minds and use this hard time to strengthen their basic industrial structure by establishing a flexible product system, cutting costs, and using win-win strategies with spare part companies. Of course, there are basic efforts such as enhancing brand image, improving quality of goods, and being in harmony with labor unions.
The government also tries to back up companies by expanding investment in R&D and preparing policies for reviving domestic demand and exports.
Q.Finally, what do you want to say to the people who are looking forward to the show
A.The Korean auto industry has developed with unprecedented speed. Even though it was damaged by the last Asian financial crisis, it recovered from the damage to become one fo the top five again. I think this all comes from Korea's passion for the car business and entrepreneurial spirit. Many people are concerned about the depressed auto industry, but I believe if Korea shows its ability again, Korea can overcome this crisis. So, please pay attention to this Seoul Motor Show 2009 and support it.
