BUSAN < invest Korea

According to Yonhap News,

(SEOUL=Yonhap News) Major auto brands from home and abroad will showcase their latest car models at a motor show to be held in June in South Korea, organizers said Thursday.

The Busan International Motor Show (BIMS) will open June 2 for an 11-day run in the country's southern port city of Busan, according to the organizers.

Under the theme of "Future wave, inspiring technology," this year's expo will attract a total of 25 global brands that will put about 230 vehicles on display.

"This year will mark the beginning of the Busan motor show turning into the one and only auto festival in the world where participants, visitors and all those interested in cars can actively join," said Chung Jin-hak, director of the industry and trade bureau of Busan Metropolitan Government, a leading organizer for the biennial event.

Five local brands, including Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp., will showcase their latest models, while BMW, Audi, Bentley, Ford, Infinity and other major foreign brands will also join the event.

First launched in 2001, the Busan motor show marks the eighth of its kind this year. The number of participating brands this year is up 14 percent from the one in 2014, the organizers said.

On the sidelines of the motor show, a media gala show will be held on June 1 where experts and industry leaders will share their views on technology related to autonomous driving and electric vehicles.

The organizers said that they are currently contacting global leaders in those areas, including Tesla Motors, whose high-ranking officials could be invited to give speeches during the gala show.

kokobj@yna.co.kr

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