Why SK Innovation chose Hyundai EVs amid 'Buy America' campaign

SK Innovation's recent decision to replace its company cars with Hyundai Motor electric vehicles (EVs) was in contrast to expectations that SK Group affiliates would follow Chairman Chey Tae-won's recommendation to buy automobiles from General Motors or other U.S. carmakers to help counter trade pressure from the Donald Trump administration. The intermediate holding company overseeing SK Group’s petrochemical and energy businesses recently instructed all executives to choose between the IONIQ 9 and eG80 as their new company vehicles. Both Hyundai EVs are powered by batteries made by SK On, an SK Innovation affiliate. SK Innovation plans to begin replacing its fleet next month, aiming to complete the transition by the end of the year. “Amid the global economic slowdown and weak EV demand, the domestic EV industry has faced difficulties,” an SK Innovation official said. “We made this decision to boost EV adoption in Korea by ensuring all our executives use EVs.” In his capacity as the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) chairman, Chey signed a memorandum of understandinWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times