An Observation on Influences from Japan in Design Developing of Korean Automotive Makers

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the implications of further strategic design development in the Korean automotive industry by analyzing the influential factors in the Japanese automotive industry in terms of both technology and exterior and interior designs that made differences in Korean automobiles throughout its history. This study reviewed influential factors from the Japanese automotive industry by observing all succeeding vehicles developed by the Korean automotive industry with their sources of technologies and design developments. There had been many collaborative works in design development and licensed productions from the Japanese industry that had been considered relatively advanced in the 1990s; however, recent influences were not primarily considered after setting the point of view for designs that reflected Korean culture. The latest design characteristics of Korean automakers were revealing different results with distinguished context and characteristics. Still, there would be opportunities to combine the said characteristics with the original technology and brand history.