SEOUL, KOREA - Sergio Rocha, GM Korea president, said on November 7, "The launch of the seventh-generation Corvette is being delayed indefinitely due to the Korean government's regulation on automobile noise.
Although such regulatory stance may benefit the industry in the short run, I wonder if that's something that should be in place for a long time." He also said, "The labor cost in Korea is rising rapidly. For example, Indian assembly plants can produce cars at only half the cost in Korea. The so-called 'ordinary wage' issue will negatively affect the whole Korean industry not just the automobile industry."
On the same day, Mr. Rocha said this in the "Chevrolet Turbo Track Day" at its Yongin Speedway, adding, "There will be a new regulation in place to cut carbon dioxide emissions further and engine noise. The level is quite onerous for GM Korea and other rival auto makers. Given we need more time to develop engine and transmission technologies to comply with the new rules, the regulation will need a certain grace period."
Earlier the Korean government announced that it would mandate car makers to meet the average greenhouse gas emission requirements to 97 grams per kilometer and 24.3 kilometers per liter by 2020. Any firm unable to meet the standards must pay penalties.
He also complained about why his company has not imported the high-performance sports car Corvette, "That's because Corvette can't pass the excessively strict noise regulation. The current Korean law allows the pass-by noise up to 80 decibels and the vehicle exhaust noise up to 105 decibels."
Article provided by The Korea Economic Daily
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